It's FRIDAY!! Woo hoo!

Hi folks! I was reading the discussion board last night and loved reading your ideas on evolution and religion! Being that this is a biology class, I figure I should probably make a few corrections to some biological errors that showed up on the discussion board, so here goes:


Some myths about evolution (some of which are discussed in your book):

• Humans evolved from monkeys: *sigh* If I had a dollar for every time I heard this. Yeah, I'm pretty sure some dude actually said this a loooooooong time ago (curse him) and it has since been shot down a bajillion times. Nonetheless it still haunts evolutionary biologists and gets dragged up in every discussion of evolution. Modern evolutionary theory simply states that humans and other primates shared a common ancestor many years ago. That is totally different than saying we came from monkeys. It's instead similar to saying you and your next door neighbor shared a common ancestor--chances are if you go back far enough, you two are related (maybe your great-great-great-great-great grandparents).


• Evolution ≠ Origin of life ≠ Big Bang Theory. These are all different. Evolution simply states that organisms change over time and the primary driving force of this change is natural selection. Evolutionary theory makes NO CLAIMS about how life began (i.e. the origin of life on earth). The Big Bang Theory, on the other hand, is a theory about how the universe was created. This is a well supported theory, but one developed mainly by astronomers and physicists (not so much biologists). I recommend getting a book on the Big Bang Theory because it is just mind boggling to try to think about the creation of the universe.....hurts my head just writing about it. And I recommend watching the TV show Big Bang Theory--it's hilarious (in a geeky science person type of way)!


• "Theory" in science is different from the layman's term "theory": In a regular old conversation "theory" to you or I means a guess or a hypothesis. In science, this is not the case. A theory is a well-supported body of evidence that is generally agreed upon to be the best estimation of reality. For reference, gravity and Einstein's theory of relativity are also scientific theories on par with evolution. The only thing that can be considered more "certain" than a theory would be a law (for example the laws of thermodynamics are so well supported that they have been elevated to the status of law).

Ok, hopefully that clarifies some misconceptions and gives you some better perspective for your next set of assignments.

1. What's due today? Today is a Digging Deeper day. Your assignments are due tonight by 8 with responses and declaration by 11.

2. What's coming up? Saturday!! Which means a day off! On Sunday your Chapter 9 Freelance Writer assignments are due by 8 with responses by 11. Watch out for those substantive responses--some of you are slipping!

3. Going to Ottawa....I'm heading out of town for the weekend to visit my in laws. I will have access to the computer, but won't check my email as frequently as I do when I'm home. I'll be leaving Friday after work (5-ish) and will be back Sunday evening.

4. IT is a pretty good resource: I've been getting quite a few emails about D2L over the last few weeks, especially since the newest version has been installed and still has some bugs. I AM NOT A COMPUTER EXPERT. I have figured out a lot of D2L tricks and know how to use the program, but only when it is working properly. If D2L is completely skitzing out on you, don't tell me--call IT (1-405-325-HELP). There's not a thing I can do to help you.

Ok, I just completely rampaged there didn't I? Sorry 'bout that. I guess I need the weekend! Enjoy and let me know if you need anything!

Heather