The Daily Clog » Evolution

Sunday Shout-Out: The Crazies and the Crazed

Christine Borden — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 06:07:35 +0000

Sunday Shout-Out picks out the week’s stories that simply slipped our minds.

* Someone pooped UC Berkeley’s party. So much for celebrating Darwin’s contributions to science. [Drudge Retort]

* National security much? Computers from Los Alamos National Laboratoy walk off. [Daily Cal]

* Quote of the week: “I honestly don’t know if he’s a crazy or a professor.” [UCB LJ]

* Starcraft + DeCal + YouTube = entertainment for anyone who’s bored or high. [YouTube]

Image Source: Anna Vignet, Daily Cal
Earlier: Obviously Obsessed With Food

NOW That’s What We Call Survival of the Fittest: 200

Jill Cowan — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:32:02 +0000

It’s that time of year again. No, not that time of year. Did we say anything about goatskins? If anything, you should whip out your fake beard and pet beagle, because, baby, it’s Darwin Day. And this ain’t just any ol’ Darwin Day. That bird-watching, foundations-of-science-shaking son of a finch, Chuck, is–as of today–officially two centuries old. We know, right? Dude doesn’t look a day over 185!

The Clog would be willing to bet that at least part of his youthful vigor is restored every year at his super happenin’ birthday celebrations. So what does the fair empirical research-worshiping Berkeley campus have in store for this particularly momentous occasion? Let’s have a look, then!

*3 p.m., 2063 Valley Life Sciences Building: Nothing says “I adapt to my environmental niche” like the pursuit of potentially free grub, especially when said free grub is birthday cake. And “refreshments.”

*4 p.m., 2040 Valley Life Sciences Building: No Berkeley celebration is complete without some sort of educational lecture or seminar with guest speakers and a simultaneously vague and enticing title like, “Charles Darwin: His Life and Relevance to Modern Biology.” Good times.

*5:30 p.m., 221 Wellman: “Reception and Toast.” Sounds like something to which we’re not invited. Also, we have no idea where Wellman is.

*12-3 p.m., Essig Museum of Entomology: Apparently the public exhibits (including an Evolution Photography contest) and tours afford a “rare peek” at the university’s bug collection. We’ll probably just stick with the cake …

All of the aforementioned events are sponsored by the Berkeley Natural History Museums and promise to be rollicking good fun for all involved. Tally ho, y’all!

Update: We just found out that a Darwin and a certain other famous bearded historical figure are, like, totally twinsies! Yep, today is also Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday. But, uh, he has to share a holiday on the other side of this weekend.

Berkeley Natural History Museums [Web site]

Score One for Evolution

Evante Garza-Licudine — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:20:55 +0000

A couple who felt a UC Berkeley site on the relationship between evolutionary theory and religion violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment had their case thrown out by a federal appeals court. Oh snap! Score one for science.

It seems the controversial statements were

The misconception that one always has to choose between science and religion is incorrect. Of course, some religious beliefs explicitly contradict science (e.g., the belief that the world and all life on it was created in six literal days); however, most religious groups have no conflict with the theory of evolution or other scientific findings. In fact, many religious people, including theologians, feel that a deeper understanding of nature actually enriches their faith. Moreover, in the scientific community there are thousands of scientists who are devoutly religious and also accept evolution.

as well as a side link to several religious groups’ statements concerning evolution. The question, however, is whether that constitutes an endorsement of specific religions at the expense of others.

The Clog hopes that linking to some sites doesn’t entail an endorsement, because that would be terrible. Lucky for us, the appeals court’s decision upheld common sense. Phew!

In particular, the court found that the injured parties, offended by the informational site, weren’t actually offended or injured … or at least couldn’t prove being offended was actually, you know, worth anything (legally).

Thus continues every American’s right to be offended by factual statements!

Image Source: Richard Fannin under Creative Commons
Court tosses local couple’s evolution suit [Press-Tribune]

Christian Science and History Classes Not Up to UC Par

April Isabel Angeles — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:51:26 +0000

We at the Clog are curious as to what is to become of prospective UC students of Christian high schools. A California federal judge gave the University of California his nearly-divine blessings in their decision to reject some Christian science and history classes. It’s little wonder, though, with textbooks titled “United States History for Christian School” and “Biology: God’s Living Creation.” Note to self: The next time you publish a Christian high school textbook, title it something more like “Adam and Eve: Papa and Mama Neanderthals.”

Image Source: abcdz2000 under Creative Commons
Court: University of California can reject Christian school classes [USA Today]