Major Darwin exhibit at New York’s American Museum of Natural History
November 19, 2005, to May 29, 2006Exhibit website, includes videos:http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/darwin/From the journal, Nature (Nature 438, 741 (8 December 2005) doi:10.1038/438741b):“The American Museum of Natural History in New York bills its new exhibition, Darwin, as the most in-depth ever mounted on Charles Darwin's life and thought. It's also well timed, coming as it does in the midst of litigation over 'intelligent design' in Dover, Pennsylvania, and in the run-up to the bicentennial of Darwin's birth in 2009. All that aside, Darwin is splendid: evolutionary biologist Niles Eldredge's exhibition takes us on a fascinating tour through the life of a great thinker, in what is a superb example of the curator's art.”TonySeb: If you can’t visit, visit the rich, extensive website.
Understanding Evolution: 2005 Year-End Items
ITEM #1:The University of California Berkeley has marvelously upgraded it “Understanding Evolution” website. Give it a look see, test its ability to answer your questions and help you find evolution information and resources:http://evolution.berkeley.edu/ITEM #2:Science magazine (http://www.sciencemag.org/), in its Dec 23 2005 issue reports as breakthrough of the year: “Evolution in Action”.In addition to the article summary, the article list many important 2005 pubscientific articles reporting advances in our understanding of evolution.Also, the article lists many interesting websites, including:The Evolution ProjectNature Web Focus: The Chimpanzee GenomeEnsemble Chimp ResourceBecoming HumanKimball's Biology Pages: SpeciationEvolution 101: SpeciationAnd much more. Get your hands on a copy. Some fee articles on the web edition.ITEM #3:Evolution: Modern Darwinism paints a more flattering portrait of humanity than traditionalists might supposeThe Story of ManThe Economist, print edition, Dec 24th 2005Includes a survey on human evolution:The proper study of mankind: New theories and techniques have revolutionised our understanding of humanity's past and present, says Geoffrey Carr (interviewed).The long march of everyman: It all started in Africa. [TonySeb: Happy New Year, fellow Africans, every one. See also: Dennell R, Roebroeks W. An Asian perspective on early human dispersal from Africa. Nature 2005;438:1099-104.]Meet the relatives: A large and diverse family. [TonySeb: Our genealogy.] If this is a man: Why it pays to be brainy. [TonySeb: How much does it pay?]The concrete savannah: Evolution and the modern world. [The Paleolithic paradigm; agriculture as a Faustian bargain; evolutionary psychology.]Starchild: Evolution is still coming. [TonySeb: Argument for present-day continuing natural selection of genes in humans; cultural influences on genetic evolution.]TonySeb: Pick up the Dec 24th print edition of The Economist, with “the story of man” on the cover. Some free articles on the web edition:http://www.economist.com/
Evolution for Everyone
Evolution for Everyone: How to Increase Acceptance of, Interest in, and Knowledge about EvolutionEssay by David Sloan WilsonDavid Sloan Wilson is with the Departments ofBiology and Anthropology, Binghamton University,Binghamton, New York, United States of America.E-mail: dwilson@binghamton.eduWilson describes a single-semester college course, with no pre-requisites, designed to make evolution acceptable, interesting, and relevant to anyone, regardless of preconceptions. And much more happening to promote understanding of evolution at Binghamton University.Citation: Wilson DS (2005). PLoS Biol 3(12): e364Open access to article at:http://biology.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.0030364View/download article at:http://www.msnusers.com/AnthonySebastianMDFilesFrom the Introduction:“There appear to be two walls of resistance [regarding evolution], one denying the theory altogether and the other denying its relevance to human affairs. This essay reports a success story, showing how both walls of resistance can be surmounted by a single college course, and even more, by a university-wide program. It is based on a campus-wide evolutionary studies program called EvoShttp://bingweb.binghamton.edu/~evos/initiated at Binghamton University in 2002, which currently includes over 50 faculty members representing 15 departments.”TonySeb: Wilson published his essay/report in the open-access journal, PLoS Biology, which allows unrestricted distribution of the article. Spread it around, especially to educators.
Richard Dawkins says, “Read Sam Harris and wake up.”
Dawkins refers to Sam Harris’s recent book, The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason.Available in hardcover: Norton, ISBN 0393035158, 336ppAvailable in paperback: Norton, ISBN 0393327655, 224ppDawkins writes in “The Guardian”: “The End of Faith: Religion, Terror and the Future of Reason by Sam Harris is a genuinely frightening book about terrorism, and the central role played by religion in justifying and rewarding it…Even moderate religion is a menace, because it leads us to respect and "cherish the idea that certain fantastic propositions can be believed without evidence".”Table Of Contents1 Reason in Exile 112 The Nature of Belief 503 In the Shadow of God 804 The Problem with Islam 1085 West of Eden 1536 A Science of Good and Evil 1707 Experiments in Consciousness 204Epilogue 223 Notes 229 Bibliography 293 Acknowledgments 323 Index 325Winner of the 2005 PEN Award for NonfictionAbout PEN:“PEN American Center is the largest of the 141 centers of International PEN, the world's oldest human rights organization and the oldest international literary organization. International PEN was founded in 1921 to dispel national, ethnic, and racial hatreds and to promote understanding among all countries…PEN American Center builds upon the achievements of such dedicated past members as W. H. Auden, James Baldwin, Willa Cather, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Thomas Mann, Arthur Miller, Marianne Moore, Susan Sontag, and John Steinbeck.”“The Economist” published an extensive review of Harris’s book. You can read the full review at:http://www.samharris.org/index.php/samharris/full-text/economist-review/“The Economist” review begins:“THIS book will strike a chord with anyone who has ever pondered the irrationality of religious faith and its cruel and murderous consequences—from the Spanish Inquisition to the suicide bombs of devout young Islamists. After noting that a majority of the world's population still believes in some kind of divine creator, Sam Harris goes on to show how one holy book after another promises paradise to believers and damnation to all others. Deuteronomy tells believers to have no mercy on apostates ("You must stone him to death, since he has tried to divert you from Yahweh, your God"); death is the punishment for anyone breaking the Ten Commandments; and "those that deny Our revelations shall be punished for their misdeeds," says the Koran.”TonySeb: I consider this an important book, both for brights and believers. Because attacks on faith generally strengthen the faith of the faithful, as Dawkins has pointed out, the faithful might want to read this book in an attempt to strengthen their faith. I forewarn them, however, of the insidious power of reason.Thanks to Robert J. Stephens, PhD, President of the international annual “Darwin Day Celebration”, for introducing me to Harris’s book. Check out:http://www.darwinday.org/and join in the 2006 celebration.P.S. Bob, I’ve started my second read.
