If ID is dead, why are some obsessed with shutting it down?

_{Denyse O'Leary

May 27, 2020

Academic Freedom, Culture, Darwinism, Intelligent Design}

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Do scientists think more about sex or ID? That was an Enter Laughing question at Evolution News and Science Today but it prompts reflection on why some people in science seem driven around the bend by the idea of design in nature. And others alter their message to avoid confronting the questions:

First, if the critics are right to say ID is “dead,” why devote so much time to it? Evolution News reported in 2014 that an article in the journal Nature admitted that scientists self-censor criticisms of neo-Darwinism to avoid lending credence to ID. As Laland et al. (2014) conceded: “Perhaps haunted by the spectre of intelligent design, evolutionary biologists wish to show a united front to those hostile to science.” In 2017 we observed how Laland followed his own advice, refusing to admit in a report published in Trends in Ecology and Evolution that the 2016 Royal Society meeting included strong critiques of the neo-Darwinian paradigm. Clearly, ID arguments are potent, and evolutionary biologists are aware of this — which is why they admit they don’t like to acknowledge problems in the evolutionary consensus.
Second, intelligent design’s supposed negative impact is hyped beyond reason. The notion that “financing of research” in the U.S. is being hurt by ID is laughable. ID research gets exactly zero dollars from the Federal Government. From other sources, the amount of money available to fund ID research, though not trivial, is minuscule compared to the amount of money available for evolutionary science. No evolutionary scientist has any right to complain.
Third, it’s a shame that “20 percent of their time and brain power” is going to ID because the trend in thought is now running toward government-backed censorship.
Evolution News, “Scientist Admits Biologists Are Obsessed with Intelligent Design” at Evolution News and Science Today

Ah yes. Mutterings about the need for censorship. When we don’t have a reasonable response to a troubling topic, first, we self-censor. Then we censor anyone who raises it. Sure, guys. That’ll work.

The questions are still there but only for those capable of addressing them.

Comments

More ID evidences: Ribosome-associated vesicles: A dynamic subcompartment of the endoplasmic reticulum in secretory cells
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a highly dynamic network of membranes. Here, we combine live-cell microscopy with in situ cryo–electron tomography to directly visualize ER dynamics in several secretory cell types including pancreatic ?-cells and neurons under near-native conditions. Using these imaging approaches, we identify a novel, mobile form of ER, ribosome-associated vesicles (RAVs), found primarily in the cell periphery, which is conserved across different cell types and species. We show that RAVs exist as distinct, highly dynamic structures separate from the intact ER reticular architecture that interact with mitochondria via direct intermembrane contacts. These findings describe a new ER subcompartment within cells.

The mechanisms by which RAVs emerge from the ER are unknown.

the machinery for local translation of the protein products remains poorly defined RAVs may therefore represent a new mechanism for local translation, facilitating functional coupling between cell activity and protein synthesis at defined sites in the cell periphery. RAV-driven local translation in dendrites would require less time and energy than the traffic of mRNAs or translated products from conventional ER in the cell body.

This work raises a number of important questions, including whether the ribosomes associated with RAVs translate a unique subset of proteins and whether these structures bear specific targeting machinery different from conventional ER for this translation. Future work will also define the mechanisms responsible for mRNA trafficking to specific sites of RAV-driven local translation as well for the membrane deformations producing RAV-mitochondrial membrane contact sites.
OLV_{June 2, 2020
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ID evidence galore Here, there, and everywhere: The importance of ER membrane contact sites
Some of the molecular machineries that regulate membrane tethering have now been identified, and thus MCSs can now be ascribed functions. In recent years, the involvement of MCSs in lipid and ion transport has been confirmed and some of the molecules and mechanisms involved in these processes have been pinpointed. Novel functions for MCSs, such as their crucial role in regulating organelle distribution and division, have also been identified. Moreover, it is becoming apparent that interorganelle communication is highly integrated in and subject to homeostatic regulation. For example, the establishment and regulation of ER-mitochondria and mitochondria-vacuole MCSs are interdependent and appear to respond to nutritional cues (22, 25, 27, 29). Notably, MCSs are linked to human diseases. Among the handful of proteins identified that specifically regulate MCS functions, a high proportion are mutated in a variety of diseases (127–129).
Footnote: ER: endoplasmic reticulum MCS: Membrane Contact SiteOLV_{June 2, 2020
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How secret conversations inside cells are transforming biology
Organelles — the cell’s workhorses — mingle far more than scientists ever appreciated.
ID evidence galoreOLV_{June 2, 2020
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LoL! @ Acartia Eddie- "Earth size" does not mean "Earth like". Venus is "earth size".ET_{May 31, 2020
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EG, the resources of the observable cosmos, stars and all are nowhere near enough to make alphanumeric code using life even remotely plausible on blind forces. KFkairosfocus_{May 31, 2020
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When we first started looking for exoplanets the technique used could only detect very large planets (eg Jupiter) in close orbits. If we stopped there, we would have concluded that solar systems with earth like planets are extremely rare. We now have techniques that can detect Solar systems with earth sized planets. Needless to say, we now have confirmed that earth sized planets are far more common than we could previously confirm.Ed George_{May 31, 2020
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Drake's equation has been superseded by that of the Rare Earth hypothesis- rare earth equation. And the Rare Earth equation has been augmented by the Privileged Planet equationET_{May 31, 2020
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JVL @ 48: "I would be more surprised if there are not other intelligent beings than if there are because of the incredibly immense number of solars systems in the universe." Letting the scenario be purely probabilistic and not worrying ourselves about deterministic exclusion, it reduces to a numerator over a denominator. The numerator is "incredibly immense". How about the denominator? But isn't this just headlining one term in Drake's equation?JClark_{May 31, 2020
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KF @53: “ by now the issue, manifestly, is not weight or balance of evidence. That was settled once it was clear that alphanumerical algorithmic code was in the heart of the cell, complete with cases of interwoven code. ” Spot on.jawa_{May 31, 2020
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KF @53: “ We are dealing with a mortally wounded dominant and domineering ideology lashing out even as it begins to bleed out. ” Spot on.jawa_{May 31, 2020
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JVL:
there is ZERO evidence that there are any other highly intelligent beings in the universe except humans.
That is pure nonsense.
I would be more surprised if there are not other intelligent beings than if there are because of the incredibly immense number of solars systems in the universe.
That has nothing to do with it.ET_{May 31, 2020
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JVL:
You think fine-tuning says the universe was designed but you think it’s possible that complex life arose without being designed?
LoL! We do NOT know, yet, if it is complex life, do we? That's why I said what I did.ET_{May 31, 2020
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Folks, by now the issue, manifestly, is not weight or balance of evidence. That was settled once it was clear that alphanumerical algorithmic code was in the heart of the cell, complete with cases of interwoven code. The standard reaction as we saw in recent weeks? Obfuscation and denial. We are dealing with a mortally wounded dominant and domineering ideology lashing out even as it begins to bleed out. The willful unresponsiveness to manifest facts tells us all we need to know. KFkairosfocus_{May 31, 2020
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Strong evidences that clearly support ID are popping up all over the map in research literature: Mechanistic insights into transcription factor cooperativity and its impact on protein-phenotype interactions https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6949242/jawa_{May 31, 2020
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Why do ID objectors usually refrain from engaging in scientific discussions (at technical level)? Is it lack of knowledge? Is it lack of humility? Is it lack of honesty? Is it something else?jawa_{May 31, 2020
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BobRyan, You may want to read carefully what is said @3jawa_{May 31, 2020
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Can someone explain how in the world the biological cells could have gotten these mechanisms established? Please note that the question is not how they got it but how it could be done. Thanks. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7104864/#!po=0.396825jawa_{May 31, 2020
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BobRyan: Does that mean you believe intelligent life exists in the universe? There is no evidence of their existence. What are you basing your belief on? I’m going to guess that it’s the vastness of the universe and there must be alien life out there somewhere. I agree: there is ZERO evidence that there are any other highly intelligent beings in the universe except humans. I would be more surprised if there are not other intelligent beings than if there are because of the incredibly immense number of solars systems in the universe. What do you think?JVL_{May 31, 2020
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JVL @ 40 You state, "I think it’s easily possible that any alien beings we meet..." Does that mean you believe intelligent life exists in the universe? There is no evidence of their existence. What are you basing your belief on? I'm going to guess that it's the vastness of the universe and there must be alien life out there somewhere.BobRyan_{May 31, 2020
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ET: You may want to read carefully what is said @3jawa_{May 30, 2020
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ET: The odds favor it. But we have to wait and see. Whoa! Hold the phone! You think fine-tuning says the universe was designed but you think it's possible that complex life arose without being designed?JVL_{May 30, 2020
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Dr Tour and Dr Swamidass discuss OOL? https://youtu.be/yJgr38h_3H0jawa_{May 30, 2020
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JVL:
Would you say that any other intelligent alien species was also a product of design?
The odds favor it. But we have to wait and see.ET_{May 30, 2020
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ET: I would say that if humans make up 1% of all living organisms in the universe they would all still be remarkable, special and unusual. And 1% is very high, given what we know. Would you say that any other intelligent alien species was also a product of design?JVL_{May 30, 2020
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You're a mathematician, figure it out. I would say that if humans make up 1% of all living organisms in the universe they would all still be remarkable, special and unusual. And 1% is very high, given what we know.ET_{May 30, 2020
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ET: Now, if every planet in the universe had humans and human-like populations, then no, we humans on earth wouldn’t be unique at all. So, where is the line between unique and common? I think it's easily possible that any alien beings we meet might have similar orgin stories and feel they are just as special as we are. So, where is the line?JVL_{May 30, 2020
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Now, if every planet in the universe had humans and human-like populations, then no, we humans on earth wouldn't be unique at all.ET_{May 30, 2020
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JVL:
And if the diversity of life on another planet was the same?
That just makes my point. Humans and human-like aliens would be remarkable, special and unusual, when compared to the vast abundance of other life.
But then humans would not be so unique would they?
Gibberish. In the vastness of the universe all humans and human-like ETs would be remarkable, special and unusual.
I understand the definitions; I”m just trying to be sure you are applying them.
I don't think you do understand the definitions.ET_{May 30, 2020
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ET: The diversity of life on Earth alone is enough. And if the diversity of life on another planet was the same? That wouldn’t make us any less remarkable, special or unusual. Our planet already hit that mark. It wouldn’t matter if a million earth like planets were found. Compared to the vastness of the universe, they would all still be remarkable, special and unusual. But then humans would not be so unique would they? Of course it is. Perhaps you should buy a dictionary so you can understand what words mean. I understand the definitions; I"m just trying to be sure you are applying them. Again, here is the question: If we found out that there was another whole bunch of alien beings who had the same orgin stories as us and the same saviour stories as us then could we say that humons are special in any way? Here's another way of putting it: is it possible that the Christian saviour appeared to many different cultures and races and beings? So that there was no one chosen race or species or beings?JVL_{May 30, 2020
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JVL:
On what basis?
The diversity of life on Earth alone is enough.
What if an alien culture had a record of a saviour who died for their sins and was resurrected?
That wouldn't make us any less remarkable, special or unusual. Our planet already hit that mark. It wouldn't matter if a million earth like planets were found. Compared to the vastness of the universe, they would all still be remarkable, special and unusual.
Is it not possible for an alien culture to have equal standing as humans?
Of course it is. Perhaps you should buy a dictionary so you can understand what words mean.ET_{May 30, 2020
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