Behe-McWhorter Back Online

_{William Dembski

August 31, 2009

Intelligent Design}

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[Update 8.31.09: The McWhorter-Behe interview is back online at Bloggingheads; Robert Wright, who heads Bloggingheads, was incommunicado during the interview’s removal and on his return to wired reality decided to put the dialogue back up. For his explanation of what happened, go here: bloggingheads.tv/diavlogs/22075]

[Update 8.28.09: Michael Behe has just posted his take on the bloggingheads matter — behe.uncommondescent.com]

Isn’t the Internet wonderful. Bloggingheads takes down the Behe-McWhorter discussion one day. A few hours later it’s back up:

View on ExposureRoom

Comments

anonym, Yes, I think you and Gil are probably correct.yakky d_{August 27, 2009
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Gil, Yeah, after reading it again, I think you are likely right about the intended target of the "Darwin cultist" label. I'm going to wait until Mr McWhorter tells his side of the story before I speculate about who "probably forced the removal of the video", however.yakky d_{August 27, 2009
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yakky d: I could be wrong, but I assume that "the Darwin cultist" is meant as a generalisation (as in 'patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel') not a reference to McWhorter or any specific individual. I presume that Allen Factor sees McWhorter as relaying the arguments of the "Darwin cultists" (an annoying label, I agree) not being one himself. But you could ask Factor himself.anonym_{August 27, 2009
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Heh, there is the 'cultist' thing. Didn't see it for some reason the first time round. It doesn't take much thought to realize it he wasn't referring to John but the people that went off-side on him and made hie take the video down because of "offense". In other words he took the video down after being lambasted by those offended.IRQ Conflict_{August 27, 2009
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Where do you read that yakky d? This is all I see: "The infamous bloggingheads debate between John McWhorter and the legendary biochemist and 'Darwin Slayer', Michael Behe. Dr. Behe's arguments are so air-tight and influential that the Darwin cultist's only tactic is a combination of strawman arguments (Ken Miller, Sean Carroll, Jerry Coyne, etc.) and censoring his views, as was the case with this video."IRQ Conflict_{August 27, 2009
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Hey thanks to McWhorter and bloggingheads for this video. McWhorter you are asking all the right questions and I'm sure Behe had a great time addressing the issues instead of the more common discrimination.tragic mishap_{August 27, 2009
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I don't believe that the "Darwin cultist" comment was necessarily aimed at McWhorter, but at those who attack Behe so mercilessly and who probably forced the removal of the interview.
Dr. Behe's arguments are so air-tight and influential that the Darwin cultist's only tactic is a combination of strawman arguments (Ken Miller, Sean Carroll, Jerry Coyne, etc.) and censoring his views, as was the case with this video.
GilDodgen_{August 27, 2009
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I like the blurb given to the file on ExposureRoom. McWhorter praises Behe extensively and gives him a very friendly venue in which to air his views, yet is labeled a "Darwin cultist" by the IDer who uploaded the video.yakky d_{August 27, 2009
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I am very impressed with McWhorter in the interview. He has done his homework, actually read the material, and is very open-minded to a point of view that may challenge his worldview. It is hard to imagine how he thought that this interview didn't represent him well. He has had over a decade to think about DBB and he commented intelligently on it. It's a shame that something happened after airing the video that made him think it was better to shelf it after taking the time to prepare and taking both his and Behe's time in recording. I think in the aftermath he learned a little more than he would like to have about the way ID is treated.Charlie_{August 27, 2009
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Somebody make a copy of this so we do not lose it again or at least make an mp3. I downloaded the .wmv file from ExposureRoom and have it archived. (Note the “Download Original” link.) I think it’s pretty obvious why the original was removed from Bloggingheads. John McWhorter was far too sympathetic and expressed too much skepticism concerning Darwinian orthodoxy. He even upbraided Behe’s critics for scoffing and not evaluating or addressing Behe’s arguments sufficiently. In addition, Behe is far too rational, calm, and persuasive. The clincher was probably John’s comment about Behe’s arguments and evidence bringing him close to becoming a believer. This is heresy, and warrants excommunication from the church of Darwin. The removal of the original from Bloggingheads says far more than words about the frailty and vulnerability of neo-Darwinism.GilDodgen_{August 27, 2009
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I have the full thing on my hard drive. Actually the video posted is my reduced version with less sound quality. As soon as I figure out how to split it I will re-upload it in it's full uncompressed glory. ;)IRQ Conflict_{August 27, 2009
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Somebody make a copy of this so we do not lose it again or at least make an mp3.jerry_{August 27, 2009
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McWhorter is an interesting guy and I also highly recommend his Teaching Company courses on linguistics. If you want to understand what the difference is between a creole and a dialect or how languages developed all over the world or how certain sounds for a concept is similar in many languages get his course. He is down to earth and easy to understand. He is a mixture of conservative and Black politics who has been critical of black attitudes on education and affirmative action but is also highly critical of many policies that hurt Blacks. He would like to legalize drugs because a lot of Black crime is drug related and thinks it would ease pressures in the Black community to legalize drugs. I have some affinity for him since he grew up close to where I used to live in Philadelphia and went to schools where some of my acquaintances went. My initial assessment of him is that he is basically honest and a whole lot of sh__ was probably dumped on him after the posting on Blogging Heads.jerry_{August 27, 2009
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McWhorter has a wonderful set of lectures on language from The Teaching Company. In those lectures it became clear that he is prepared to step outside the reigning orthodoxy.William Dembski_{August 27, 2009
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