The Evolution of Flying Squirrels

_{William Dembski
November 20, 2007

Just For Fun

1}_{Categories
Just For Fun}

Share: Facebook; Twitter/X; LinkedIn; Flipboard; Print; Email

I never quite believed in the evolution of flying squirrels from regular squirrels (i.e., by increasing skin folds that allowed for better and better gliding) until I watched this video:

Comments

Off topic: Cholera's Lines Of Communication Broken By Princeton Scientists Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News Article Date: 15 Nov 2007 - 3:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/88885.php Special note: A team of Princeton scientists has discovered a key mechanism in how bacteria communicate with each other, a pivotal breakthrough that could lead to treatments for cholera and other bacterial diseases. The mechanism is a chemical that cholera bacteria use for transmitting messages to each other, known as CAI-1, and has been isolated in the lab of molecular biologist Bonnie Bassler. Her team has shown that the chemical also can be used to disrupt the communication that exists among the bacteria, potentially halting the disease's progress. The discovery could lead to an entirely new class of antibiotics.bornagain77_{November 21, 2007
November
11
Nov
21
21
2007
06:28 AM
6
06
28
AM
PDT}

DaveScot: A rich imagination is important when it comes to doing science. Sometimes the intuitive answers are not the correct ones. "Faith is for religion. Facts are for science." I agree 100%. Whatever creative imagination has to offer in doing science, it's only useful if it is bound by facts.MacT_{November 21, 2007
November
11
Nov
21
21
2007
05:59 AM
5
05
59
AM
PDT}

The "end game", of parachuting safely back to earth, raises the question: Which evolved first, the "web-wings" or the parachute?DLH_{November 21, 2007
November
11
Nov
21
21
2007
05:53 AM
5
05
53
AM
PDT}

MacT I found it quite candid of you to admit how important it is to have a rich imagination when it comes to having faith in evolution by chance & necessity. Faith is for religion. Facts are for science.DaveScot_{November 21, 2007
November
11
Nov
21
21
2007
05:30 AM
5
05
30
AM
PDT}

Jehu, "Those flying squirrels are pretty cool, but I doubt there is any selective advantage to being only able to glide slightly further than the other squirrels." This is called an argument by poverty of the imagination. I find it easy to imagine a set of environmental conditions which may confer a selective advantage on better gliders. Remember, it's not only about survival, but about improved adaptability to a changing environment. Or who knows, maybe gliding further was just more fun, and the fun squirrels made more attractive mates (which I guess could be construed as an adaptive response within the mating environment).MacT_{November 21, 2007
November
11
Nov
21
21
2007
04:25 AM
4
04
25
AM
PDT}

bFast,
Sorry Jehu, but this challenge to darwinism doesn’t fly.
Ouch! Couldn't resist the pun could you? Those flying squirrels are pretty cool, but I doubt there is any selective advantage to being only able to glide slightly further than the other squirrels.Jehu_{November 21, 2007
November
11
Nov
21
21
2007
12:48 AM
12
12
48
AM
PDT}

The linked video was absolutely awe inspiring. As someone who has skydived (never base jumped, to my regret) I can testify to the exhilaration and physical freedom experienced by freefall. It's an experience unparalleled by any other. This video takes it to an entirely new level. There is something inexplicable about this type of epxerience, about the human spirit's need to crash against the boundary. This isn't recklessness, it's a pursuit of something beyond what we're 'supposed' to be able to do, like flying 600+ MPH at 30,000 feet, or bursting the boundary of outer space. I'm constantly pleased, but not yet surprised, by what the human spirit desires -- to press beyond the possible, and to experience a hint of what life is really designed to be.Apollos_{November 21, 2007
November
11
Nov
21
21
2007
12:40 AM
12
12
40
AM
PDT}

Heh. This is as funny a post as I've seen here!Hedge_{November 20, 2007
November
11
Nov
20
20
2007
11:18 PM
11
11
18
PM
PDT}

As soon as someone removes the part where you have to jump off a cliff and somehow not fall to your death that will catch on with a whole lot of people really quick. Maybe people could put those suits on and go into a wind tunnel or something.UrbanMysticDee_{November 20, 2007
November
11
Nov
20
20
2007
09:12 PM
9
09
12
PM
PDT}

jehu:
How many squirrels died jumping out of trees before some of them found out that they were lucky enough to have mutant extra skin to let them glide?
Having once owned a pet squirrel, and having observed squirrels in my back yard with fascination I can assure you that jumping between trees is normal squirrel fare. As such, squirrels have plenty of opportunity to miss a jump already. As it turns out, baby squirrels practice their jumps in a fail-safe manner, finding out what their particular capacity is. If one is born with a bit of an advantage, he will learn how to use that advantage. If another doesn't have the advantage, he will learn to make smaller jumps. Sorry Jehu, but this challenge to darwinism doesn't fly.bFast_{November 20, 2007
November
11
Nov
20
20
2007
08:05 PM
8
08
05
PM
PDT}

That isn't flying like a bird. This, is flying like a bird, and I know, because I've done it more than 1,500 times since 1973.GilDodgen_{November 20, 2007
November
11
Nov
20
20
2007
06:15 PM
6
06
15
PM
PDT}

One thing you don't account for is death by falling. Those guys will probably die doing that foolish stunt. How many squirrels died jumping out of trees before some of them found out that they were lucky enough to have mutant extra skin to let them glide?Jehu_{November 20, 2007
November
11
Nov
20
20
2007
05:15 PM
5
05
15
PM
PDT}

The Timeless Daydream It may have been a daydream, Though a daydream, it did not seem, But for sure, of ordinary I no longer stayed, As this grand facade of my vision did fade, And as my very soul ,into the sky ,fell, My sense of time, no longer ,could I tell, Then with newfound wings at my hearts helm, I went soaring through Celestial realm, Curving arcs through richly blue sky, Around islands of brilliant white clouds did I fly, With mirth, I lay upon a cloud to indulge a nap, Though my energy was in no way sapped, Then Strangely, I went into a daydream within my daydream, Though a daydream within my daydream, it did not seem, For as the celestial sky from my vision did fade, Yet into a Higher realm did my soul wade, I found myself in a indescribably beautiful place, Bathed in warmth and happiness, in love's special Grace, I was in the presence of a Being of pure utter Bliss, Tis a feeling on earth I do sorely miss, From this paradise I was gently awoken, As a wise word into my ear was spoken, "The worship of higher and higher above, Is to Love with a higher and higher Love"bornagain77_{November 20, 2007
November
11
Nov
20
20
2007
05:15 PM
5
05
15
PM
PDT}

Prev 1 2

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Leave a Reply