PZ, there’s a topic I’d appreciate if you’d address sometime if you find the time.
Until recently, it’s been my understanding that mutation and natural selection were the only mechanisms that drove evolution. That had left me wondering if the human race had not reached its peak of unaided evolution, since just about everyone is succesful in procreating. However, you’ve mentioned genes apparently doing stuff to further evolution on their own without needing natural selection, if I’ve understood you correctly – something about cis and trans regulatory genes, I believe – that I’ve never before heard of and even less understand. If I’ve understood this correctly, and if I am not alone in my ignorance, perhaps a layman’s tutorial might be appreciated. The stuff I’ve been able to find so far is way above my head with my limited knowledge of biology.
Ok, so I’m not as well read as I should be, but I just found out about the the US Treaty with Tripoli, 1796-1797 http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/treaty_tripoli.html
in which Article 11 says “…As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion…” and it was unanimously approved by our founding fathers (the ones that were left in 1796 anyway…). Thank you Hole in the Bucket! http://www.texasshiva.com/2006/07/regarding-green-knights-post.html
I love the internet…
PZ, there’s a topic I’d appreciate if you’d address sometime if you find the time.
Until recently, it’s been my understanding that mutation and natural selection were the only mechanisms that drove evolution. That had left me wondering if the human race had not reached its peak of unaided evolution, since just about everyone is succesful in procreating. However, you’ve mentioned genes apparently doing stuff to further evolution on their own without needing natural selection, if I’ve understood you correctly – something about cis and trans regulatory genes, I believe – that I’ve never before heard of and even less understand. If I’ve understood this correctly, and if I am not alone in my ignorance, perhaps a layman’s tutorial might be appreciated. The stuff I’ve been able to find so far is way above my head with my limited knowledge of biology.
I’d be very happy if you could explain this.
Martin
Ok, so I’m not as well read as I should be, but I just found out about the the US Treaty with Tripoli, 1796-1797
http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/treaty_tripoli.html
in which Article 11 says “…As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion…” and it was unanimously approved by our founding fathers (the ones that were left in 1796 anyway…). Thank you Hole in the Bucket!
http://www.texasshiva.com/2006/07/regarding-green-knights-post.html
I love the internet…
Religion roundup:
Pet alligator has God on its side, Wisconsin man says
Norse paganism gaining popularity in prisons
Strib article on Pentecostalism.
> reports of faith healing, no token critical angle included.
Topic of the week: “Can you live a moral life if you don’t believe in God?”
Christianity promotes hate, hypocrisy