tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37148773.post1531459636329544636..comments2024-03-19T00:24:23.577-04:00Comments on <center>Sandwalk</center>: Joe Thornton vs Michael BeheLarry Moranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05756598746605455848noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37148773.post-79146353504831103502009-10-16T23:22:46.386-04:002009-10-16T23:22:46.386-04:00the nice thing in this study is that it shows how ...the nice thing in this study is that it shows how adaptive evolution is constrained by non-adaptive changeA. Vargashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04876504431768677209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37148773.post-77320499924858322452009-10-16T21:13:38.318-04:002009-10-16T21:13:38.318-04:00"Consider your own life history as an analogy..."Consider your own life history as an analogy. We can all look back at the road we have traveled and identify chance events that had profound effects on how our lives turned out. “If the movie I wanted to see that night when I was 25 hadn’t been sold out, I never would have gone to that party at my friend’s house, where I met my future spouse….” Everyone can tell a story like this. The probability of the life we actually lead is extraordinarily small. That obviously doesn’t mean that its historical unfolding was impossible."<br /><br />Thornton just put into words a concept I've always appreciated but could never explain. That might be the best analogy for how the past 4 billion years of evolution gave us the world we have today. He's amazing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37148773.post-7963642340638022072009-10-16T17:59:39.809-04:002009-10-16T17:59:39.809-04:00Thank you, Dr. Moran, for linking to Thornton'...Thank you, Dr. Moran, for linking to Thornton's letter. I've already read Behe's three articles which were grossly distorting the meaning of the work of Thornton's research group.<br /><br />While it is true that I did not pursue a formal education in Biology, I hold an utmost respect and an enthusiastic interest especially in Cell Biology, evolutionary theory and Genetics. However, even though I am a layman when it comes to details, reading articles discussing scientific papers still allows me to spot distorted perspectives and logical fallacies. Of the most annoying things I've read lately were Behe's three articles.<br /><br />What is truly sad, though, is that all the debate going on and forth is not likely to put an end to the ID-ers' ever-replicating unscientific claims, which, in turn, is a most perverse cover for a so-called controversy in the science world.Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07936817579635597668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37148773.post-16940264833286485002009-10-16T16:52:51.700-04:002009-10-16T16:52:51.700-04:00I was going to email a suggestion to you to commen...I was going to email a suggestion to you to comment on this article, but happily you beat me to it. What a fine, clear explanation of the role of neutral paths, genetic drift and contingency.Judnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37148773.post-46396484742029846302009-10-16T12:14:02.258-04:002009-10-16T12:14:02.258-04:00I wish to point out that neutral intermediates are...I wish to point out that neutral intermediates are necessary steps in the evolution of adaptation, thus making drift a necessary component in the evolution of adaptations. Recent studies empirically refute the old mantra that "selection is the only mechanism that explains adaptation" (Larry: You are a mindless "accomodationist" to me on that one. Give drift it's due in the origin of adaptations!!!).<br /><br />Selection is not the only mechanism, and far more often than not, it cannot on its own explain the origin of an adaptation.A. Vargashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04876504431768677209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37148773.post-16242663430576935552009-10-16T11:50:52.313-04:002009-10-16T11:50:52.313-04:00Behe just doesn't understand modern evolutiona...Behe just doesn't understand modern evolutionary theory. He never has understood it. Yet many think he is a legitimate authority on the subject. It makes me want to just scream.Dave Wiskernoreply@blogger.com