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[–]Ozymandias12 118 points119 points ago

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Ooooo that's a bingo!!

[–]DrBrian 40 points41 points ago

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We just say "bingo".

[–]Spiel88 31 points32 points ago

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BINGO-HOW FUN!

[–]notnicholas 13 points14 points ago

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Bun-Jor-no.

[–]sonicdeathmonkey2132 9 points10 points ago

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We speak a little I-talian.

[–]Oddeh 7 points8 points ago

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A-riva-derchy.

[–]GorillaGirl 0 points1 point ago

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Grat-zee.

[–]makingplansfornigel 5 points6 points ago

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Das ist Numberwang!

[–]iBro53 142 points143 points ago

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Acquire tenure. Disregard student's bronze aged myths.

[–]PrimeIntellect 26 points27 points ago

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I don't think you need tenure to tell biology students that evolution is real, especially if you're teaching biology.

[–]PhoenixAvenger 37 points38 points ago

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I think you need tenure to tell students to jump off a bridge though :P

[–][deleted] 10 points11 points ago

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Mmm, you still need to step on egg shells in some states though. My professor talks about how a lot of American university professors need get the "discussion" out of the way regarding religion on the first day, otherwise they have to put up with Christians always putting up their hands or interrupting with "challenges" to evolution. I have only seen it once at my uni, the student was told to leave and watch the recorded lectures in the future. She had tenure, and also had had enough from the look of things.

[–]electric_saguaro 2 points3 points ago

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Indeed. I live in Texas and my geology prof had to "address" the Young Earth "theory" on the first day of class. Yet even so, there was this middle-aged woman who always tried to argue that carbon-dating wasn't "real" because she "had her cat carbon-dated" and the results said it was a thousand years old, so obviously the Earth might not be more than 10,000 years old... or something. It was hard to know what the hell she was even trying to argue.

[–]w_wilder24 1 point2 points ago

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Had my first day of Evolution yesterday and sure enough at the very end of the lecture the "discussion" occurred.

[–]translucency 180 points181 points ago

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The problem when people say that evolution is a theory is that they are using the word theory in a very colloquial sense, something akin to a guess, supposition, or hunch. In reality, the term theory has a technical and scientific meaning; to become a theory, a falsifiable hypothesis must be subjected to a series of repeatable experments. Then the theory is refined over time as new data are collected, and new information is made known. Don't bother to try to explain this to a creationist, though. Logic and reason are, after all, tools of the devil.

[–]Wizywig 15 points16 points ago

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The reason is because the term is not well defined in schools. Kids are not taught the difference between a Theory and a Scientific Theory.

It's like when my wife took general physics in college. The professor said "look, everything we talk about here is theories, including gravity, but at this stage in your education you guys can consider it law, because you are ways away form the necessary comprehension of the subject to be able to even scrutinize these theories"

And like every theory, the details are constantly being refined. Even Gravity. The problem is that evolution is one that conflicts with religious views. Opse.

[–]NerdBot9000 1 point2 points ago

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This blows my mind. I learned the Scientific Method and the definition of a Scientific Theory in maybe 5th or 6th grade when I participated in my school's mandatory science fair. Do schools not do science fairs any more? Are they not compulsory?

[–]sweetly_flying 2 points3 points ago

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I did science fair only in high school. It was great fun for me but they made everyone do it and my idiot classmates all made up their data.

[–]NerdBot9000 1 point2 points ago

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Yeah, I guess if you don't care about it, you won't learn much from being forced to do it.

[–]Tbrack 14 points15 points ago

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The theory rarely changes. It is the auxiliary statements to the theory that change.

[–]Heaps_Flacid 10 points11 points ago

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Being an auxiliary statement to translucency's post, do you think your post is likely to change under scientific scrutiny?

[–]Tbrack 1 point2 points ago

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No. Theories can never predict the future without auxiliary statements. I think the idea that AS have to be added to theories will be hard to falsify, so I stand by my opinion for now.

[–]Wizywig 5 points6 points ago

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... in theory.

[–]mcoree 4 points5 points ago

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Yo dawg..

[–]Infamous_El_Guapo 4 points5 points ago

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If we're getting technical and evolution is 'just a theory' then creationism is 'just an untestable hypothesis'.

[–]_BurntToast_ 6 points7 points ago

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A scientific hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable. Creationism is neither of these things, so is a unscientific theory, unlike evolution.

[–]MeMyselForWho 5 points6 points ago

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"Creationists make it sound as though a 'theory' is something you dreamt up after being drunk all night." — Isaac Asimov.

[–]Drawtaru 14 points15 points ago

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What repeatable experiments have been done to prove evolution? Not trolling, I just really want to know.

[–]chimpychimp 17 points18 points ago

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To make it a bit clearer, it is not usual practice to have one experiment prove an entire scientific theory. The theory of evolution is comprised of thousands of different bits of science from differing areas. There is paleontology and the fossil record, comprised of thousands upon thousands of fossils, observations and tests. There is genetic evidence of the common ancestry organisms at a molecular level. We can look at two organisms and not only see what parts of their DNA are the same, but describe how closely related they are via ancestry based on their sequence morphology. There are direct observations of evolution in action at the microbial level, the classic go to example being the evolution of a lab strain of E. coli evolving to use extraneous citrate as a metabolite.

The only minor sticking point is that because of the nature of evolution, its impossible to give a fully 100% expermental proof of a bacteria evolving into a monkey, because its simply not possible given the time frames required. Some people latch on to this as somehow being "proof" that the theory of evolution is incomplete and should be disregarded as such, which is really quite absurd.

[–]Triassic 0 points1 point ago

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About that last statement you made about the bacteria and the monkey. While you are correct we will not in any foreseeable future see all the transitions we still have huge amounts of evidence for it. They do in fact share a great deal of their DNA. We know they are related because of this. And we can also determine (based on what type of bacteria it is) that it may in fact be closer related to the monkey than some other microbial life.

[–]Drawtaru 0 points1 point ago

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Thank you. :)

[–]Bongpig 11 points12 points ago

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[–]IjustcametosayAnyang 0 points1 point ago

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thank you for this.

[–]Drawtaru 0 points1 point ago

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Interesting read!

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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What repeatable experiments have been done to prove evolution?

Every time a living being is born with characteristics of its parents, that's a repeatable experiment that proves evolution.

[–]VohX 2 points3 points ago

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Dog domestication (breeding of dogs from wolves)

[–]Drawtaru 0 points1 point ago

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That's intelligent design, because dogs were bred from wolves by humans.

[–]VohX 2 points3 points ago

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we accelerated the rate of natural evolution by selective breeding... ಠ_ಠ

[–]bradwasheresoyeah 6 points7 points ago

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Upvoted you for the simple fact I hate to see a person get downvoted because they asked an honest question to a community who knows enough about the subject to give an answer.

[–]Drawtaru 0 points1 point ago

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Thank you.

[–]DMitri221 0 points1 point ago

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[–]Drawtaru 2 points3 points ago

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Thank you. I have purchased and downloaded the book, and I will start reading it this evening. :)

[–]Glaaki 19 points20 points ago

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Playing devils advocate a bit, but something that worried me a bit lately is that scientists claim that the word theory has this specific meaning, yet they themselves use it in its colloquial meaning quite frequently. To give examples, string theory is hardly a theory in the strict sense, same goes for inflation and other fancy physical pet theories of the day.

Perhaps it is understandable that people get confused, when scientists themselves frequently use the term so casually.

[–]jenniferwillow[!] 9 points10 points ago

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Well let's start using the term hypothesis then when we mean to colloquially say theory. "I have a hypothesis that X will happen."

[–]Fungor 7 points8 points ago

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String Hypothesis does have a nice ring to it.

[–]sirralen 1 point2 points ago

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Hypothesis also has a very strict definition, though. After data collection and review of available literature, a hypothesis is a prediction of results from a repeatable, parsimonious test. Quite frequently quantum physics is untestable outside theoretical mathematics, so I don't know if you could call it a hypothesis.

[–]jenniferwillow[!] 0 points1 point ago

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True, but to simplify, it's a predictive guess based on observation. As for quantum stuff, people are really just starting to become aware of it, and as the decades pass, we may be able to figure out how to start testing quantum stuff.

[–]Valendr0s 7 points8 points ago

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Perhaps we need a new term... Maybe classes of theories. For example, how many and how strongly certain characteristics are applicable.

  1. Confirmation - Can this theory be proven right or wrong?

  2. Disprovable - Can this theory be proven false?

  3. Testable Predictions - Can this theory make a prediction that can be proved or disproved?

  4. Model Evidence - Has evidence been derived from mathematical models that corroborates this theory?

  5. Physical Evidence - Has evidence been seen physically (in a laboratory setting) that corroborates this theory?

  6. Natural Evidence - Has evidence been found in nature that corroborates this theory?

A theory would be scored on these 6 criteria (for example) on a scale of 1 to 4.

So one would say, "the theory of evolution is a class 18 theory" or something, or "String theory is a class 5 theory" or whatever.

That would allow non-scientific people to be more cognizant of the strength of a given theory.

[–]duckandcover 4 points5 points ago

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props. technically correct. It's untested so technically it's a hypothesis or a conjecture.

[–]Brightt 24 points25 points ago

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Yes, because people that think evolution ain't true have obviously heard of the controversy around the string theory and inflation... Oh wait.

Also, String theory is a theory because the theoretic side of it has been proven, it just needs factual backup. It hasn't been observed to be true, but the mathematics have been done and String theory predicts what scientists must find to prove it (which is what theories are: predicting facts), it's just kind of hard to find those things.

[–]user2196 10 points11 points ago

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I don't think your comments change the fact that scientists still employ the term theory in the colloquial sense when discussing their work, even if they do it less often and keep it out of the final products (papers et cetera.) Yes, when people use "theory" to describe evolution or gravity, they mean it in the technical sense, but some initial confusion among the uneducated (as compared to adamant insistence of falseness by those with determined ignorance) is understandable given the two different uses of the word.

[–]need_an_username 10 points11 points ago

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I think the problem is rather that the term "theory" is too broad. The theory of gravity, the phlogiston theory of combustion, and string theory are all correct usage of the word "theory"; even though string theory has no empirical backing, gravity has very poor theoretical explanations, and phlogiston is just wrong. The word "theory" does not refer to whether it is right or wrong, rather what stage of the process of science it is (or failed at).

[–]farfigneugan 4 points5 points ago

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so if they're keeping it out of the papers, who are these "scientists" you claim are using it in the colloquial sense, and how are you hearing about it?

[–]cmwebs 2 points3 points ago

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Generally its scientists in public attempting to explain things to people who dont understand the differences between a hypothesis and a theory.

[–]user2196 1 point2 points ago

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As an astrophysics student, I spend a fair bit of time around other students and practitioners of science as well as teachers and lecturers.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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string theory is hardly a theory

Actually, experiments have been devised which could test string theory; making it falsifiable. The problem is that the supercolliders required to probe the theory require energies so high they are impossible to build with our state of technology. So, it's not that string theory can't be tested, it's just that we don't have the technological sophistication to test it.

[–]TiberiusDeorum 1 point2 points ago

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Well, the definition is kind of casual. The reason both the casual and the rigorous definition are used, is because you can no more say one is definitely true than the other.

A theory is really a guess. However, some guesses have much more evidence in their favor than others. Maxwell's laws are just a theory. You can't prove them definitively, but you can build a television using them. The same can't be said of some other magical explanation.

Similarly, you can't definitively prove evolution, but you can simulate ecological systems using it. The same can't be said of creationism.

For the likes of string theory, it really is a guess. It does, however, produce some the same effects we see around us, so that's some evidence in its favor. But it is still just a guess, like most other scientific theories. If you can provide another theory that has similar success in predictions, then it is an equally valid guess.

[–]cmwebs 2 points3 points ago

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After the 4th upgrade of the LHC, we will preform tests to determine the validity of string theory. After the LHC's 4th planned upgrade, it will be dealing with energy levels high enough that we should see, if string theory is correct, energy slipping into the other dimensions in a conservation of energy experiment. String Theory is testable, its just expensive.

[–]TiberiusDeorum 0 points1 point ago

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Even if it produces effects that string theory predicts, it's always possible that another theory has or can be constructed that makes similar predictions.

[–]troismurs 0 points1 point ago

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Did you just say we can't prove Maxwell's equations definitively? What definition of the word "prove" are you applying here?

[–]TiberiusDeorum 2 points3 points ago

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Yes.

There are two reasons for this.

One, it is possible they aren't complete. Take, for example, Newtonian mechanics. It's a good approximation to reality, however, it fails at higher velocities. In this case, special relativity is required, and at low velocities, simplifies to Maxwell's laws. You can't assume anything is perfectly right, because there could always be a deeper equation, so the ones you were using were slightly wrong.

Two, it is always possible that your explanation happens to explain things quite well, but are actually wrong. Take for example, electricity. The reason electrons are negative is because the conventions for electricity were set up long before the discovery of the electron. Their explanations worked, but they eventually found out they weren't quite right.

You can never say you've fully proved something in physics. You can only say your theory works to a certain level of accuracy in a certain range that has been tested.

[–]marcianoskate 1 point2 points ago

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i had understood that it is a mathematical theory... they're still trying to prove it in the real world, but the maths are consistent.

[–]cmwebs 1 point2 points ago

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After the 4th upgrade of the LHC, we will preform tests to determine the validity of string theory. After the LHC's 4th planned upgrade, it will be dealing with energy levels high enough that we should see, if string theory is correct, energy slipping into the other dimensions in a conservation of energy experiment. String Theory is testable, its just expensive.

[–]linford86 1 point2 points ago*

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Well, in physics, we use the word "theory" to mean a mathematical model. That model can be either proven by evidence or not; the amount by which physical theories are to be believed has nothing to do with its status as a theory, though any good theory will specify the means by which it could be verified or falsified. This is why string theory is called a theory -- it's a mathematical model of a broad category of physical phenomena (though our ability to test string theory is controversial.) Theorists are those of us physicists who use mathematics and (sometimes) computer modelling, but aren't mathematicians and don't do experiments.

In the biological and social sciences, the word theory often has a different sort of use. This is partly due to the fact that the kind of mathematical sophistication that we have in physics largely hasn't penetrated into the special sciences.

Really, the problem is not that the word "theory" only has one particular technical meaning; it's that people are conflating the different uses of the word.

[–]bobandirus 1 point2 points ago

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Ive always been tought that there is a (however slim) chance that a theory can be proved incomplete or, worse, wrong. On the other hand I've been taught that a scientific fact is completely proved though all possible variations of the theory, or at least to a point where it is impossible to prove farther on Earth. Hence, there electromagnetic spectrum is not a theory, as we can, and have observed all realistically possible wavelengths. The waveleghnts longer than a the diameter of the Earth have real problems with staying anywhere where we can observe them. Gravity, on the other hand, even though it definitely exits, is still a theory because we cannot detect what causes it (mysterious gravitons), and evolution is a theory, because we have not got conclusive proof for the evolution into its current state of every living thing. Hence why both are theories. This may not be 100% accurate, but its what Ive been taught and its always worked for me. And it seems accurate enough to work well.

TL;DR Theories, however true and obvious, haven't been completely proved as far as we can. Facts have complete and conclusive proof.

[–]NovaMouser 0 points1 point ago

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Well we are no longer allowed to have Laws anymore, that implies an absolute certainty that under no circumstances the Law will change. After that thing with the laws of conservation of matter and energy it seems kind of stupid to assume that we can state something as a fact true in all situations.

[–]instapunish 0 points1 point ago

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_theory#Testability_and_experimental_predictions

Not siding either way, but this was interesting. I'm just going to guess that the average joe has no fucking clue what string theory really is lol. (Including me so not pointing fingers!)

[–]threelite 0 points1 point ago

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I use 'scientific theory' when something is falsifiable and all evidence for it supports the theory. As soon as evidence contradicts it, it changes. I don't know if this is technically correct, but I will say that the 'Theory of Evolution' will be a true theory until it is proven that, specifically, "evolution", or 'gradual change' does not occur naturally and is not responsible for the diversity of life.

Basically, what I'm saying is that theories can change until the name is no longer accurate to what it describes as correct. If it turns out that we can prove a god created us and that life does not evolve by natural processes, the theory of evolution would cease to exist because it has been proven that evolution is incorrect.

There's also the distinction of scientific theory and scientific law. A scientific law simply describes a natural event, but doesn't seek to explain it. The law of gravitation is basically just the equation for measuring gravitational force, with the explanation that all objects attract every other object. It doesn't explain why objects are attracted to each other, which is what the theory of gravitation is for.

[–]oneiclosed 0 points1 point ago

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Trying to use English (or any other language) to describe scientific phenomena seems to be the biggest problem. Math is the language of science. Everything else is opinion about it.

[–]fromkentucky 0 points1 point ago

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String theory is also a mathematical theory. When experiments are done to test the validity of the mathematical work, it will rightly be called a scientific theory...

Unless I'm just way off base.

[–]file-exists-p 0 points1 point ago

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The reality is that, except maybe in philosophy of science or epistemology, calling something a "theory" does not tell you much about how well it has been tested, or even if it has been tested at all.

So calling or not calling evolution a theory has nothing to do with the fact that it is a very established explanation for the emergence of complex organisms.

[–]shaun252 1 point2 points ago

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Even more so than that evolution is proven fact in the sense we have undeniably evolved, "the theory of evolution" is the theory we use to model this fact and make predictions.

Gravity similarly is a fact and we have theory's to model it.

And just like newtons theory our current theory of evolution could be become obsolete or need editing but the fact we evolved will always be a fact

Fact!

[–]jackass706 1 point2 points ago

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We need a new word for 'scientific theory'. I suggest roikwlqsa.

[–]talashira 1 point2 points ago*

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In response to this concept, my biological anthropology professor just yesterday said, "In this class, we're going to take this one step further by treating the 'theory' of evolution as a law. In my class, it is fact. If you don't like it, then you may want to consider switching to a less rigorously empirical field."

Edit: Accidentally a word.

[–]svadhisthana 1 point2 points ago

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Apparently the word "theory" is also being misunderstood by biology professors. Jumping off a bridge does nothing to test the theory of gravity. It tests gravity itself. Scientific theories are explanatory frameworks.

[–]tanthanis 1 point2 points ago

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I wonder why creationists go to college then.

[–]beyphy 1 point2 points ago

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In philosophy this is called the fallacy of equivocation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equivocation#Examples

e.g.

if something's a theory then it isn't certain.

Evolution is a theory.

Therefore evolution isn't certain.

[–]Rationalwoman 0 points1 point ago

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A theory is a broad explanation of a phenomenon. Theories explain laws. I compare theories to a house. The phenomenon you are explaining would be the foundation. The house obviously is the theory. If parts of a theory don't work, then a wall is taken down. If parts can be added, then it's like adding a room. If even a better explanation surfaces, the house is demolished. Pretty much, the Theory of Evolution is a mansion.

[–]blackholedreams 0 points1 point ago

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String theory is a mathematical theory.

[–]CrimsonVim 0 points1 point ago

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I read that last sentence in Helen 'Mama' Boucher's voice.

[–]IUsedToBeAPygmy 0 points1 point ago

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In theory, there's no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there usually is.

[–]nailz1000 0 points1 point ago

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The problem when people say that evolution is a theory is that they are using the word theory in a very colloquial sense

The problem with people who say "Evolution is a Theory!" in a way that uses the word "theory" to denounce evolution is that they believe "theory" means "hypothesis." It has always baffled me why people don't attempt to explain to them the difference, and say "Correct, which means we have studied it and found that it is a valid scientific thing with all of our current understanding."

[–]EatalltheBacon 42 points43 points ago

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I know that feeling bro. My professor said the bible is a myth. Felt good dave man.

[–]UofMtigers2014[S] 33 points34 points ago

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The feeling was even better when I was sitting next to a girl who I had just argued with two days before about religion and evolution.

[–]EatalltheBacon 25 points26 points ago

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The religious people got up and left the class that day and the instructor spent the next day explaining to everyone the difference between evidence and faith.

[–]UofMtigers2014[S] 22 points23 points ago

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If only I could be so lucky. Arguing in class during class discussions gets nowhere here because people are blinded by what their faith tells them.

[–]EatalltheBacon 8 points9 points ago

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Well this happened in Mississippi so it's a total mindfuck lol. I'm sure that the Christians went on christianing but at the very least they were presented valid concerns about strict literal interpretations

[–]Triassic 0 points1 point ago

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So, as a European I have never really understood this. Perhaps you can explain? So, you have creationists and evolution-deniers as students in these classes with reasonable professors. How do they think these Christians? How do they reason through the class? Do they accept evolution in the end of the class or do they still cling to their denial? But then how do they pass the exams and everything? Do they lie and write only what the teachers want to see?

[–]UofMtigers2014[S] 1 point2 points ago

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That's a great question. My brother, who just graduated, as well as his girlfriend, who is a junior, both reject evolution. My parents think evolution is true, but think it is attributed to god. Many people here legitimately believe the earth is 5-10,00 years old and dinosaur fossils are put here by god to test our faith. In class, I don't exactly know how they do it. I guess they just accept it as a lie and answer the questions accordingly. I'll ask my brother how he did it.

[–]Taladar 56 points57 points ago

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The bible isn't a myth. I have seen bibles, they are quite real.

[–]EatalltheBacon 19 points20 points ago

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Iseewhatyoudidthere.jpg

[–]circle-jerk_alert 6 points7 points ago

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Your observation is simply one data point in the theory that bibles exist.

I, for one, have faith that his noodly appendage placed those devil-books to test us.

[–]SchlapHappy 11 points12 points ago

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Unfortunately.

[–]tophermeyer 8 points9 points ago

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One of the neatest moments I had during my education was during a class in ancient mythology when the professor started drawing analogues with Christian mythology.

A number of my classmates were offended. Not by the implication that the bible's stories are stolen from other traditions, but by the professor using the term "Christian mythology".

[–]deejayalemus 2 points3 points ago

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C.S. Lewis had no problems with the term. He contended that it was a true myth.

[–]EatalltheBacon 1 point2 points ago

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A true myth sound a lot like a big shrimp

[–]ssracer 1 point2 points ago

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jumbo shrimp?

[–]EatalltheBacon 0 points1 point ago

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I.e. as a oxymoron

[–]MadcowPSA 15 points16 points ago

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Fortunately, colleges and college towns are usually strongholds of rational thought, critical analysis, and scientific reasoning even in larger geographic areas where people with such values are difficult to find. Lawrence, KS, where I go to school, is a good example. Despite a bit of faction-splitting in electoral politics, we're probably one of the five most conservative states in the union socially, yet Lawrence and the KU campus are fairly liberal and you don't really run into people who don't accept evolution or old-earth theory in general.

Hell, even the Southern Baptists here generally accept evolution and old-earth geology.

[–]TheDCRebel 9 points10 points ago

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Thank you. Upvoted.

I'm getting tired of this idea that people should be astonished that university educated people anywhere are as credulous as any Tom, Dick, and Harry. I know that, were you to conduct a straw poll in a rural Wal Mart parking lot you'd find a lot of people who decry evolution, but were you to do the same in biology classroom at any university anywhere, including the Deep South, you'd find an overwhelming majority of people who understand evolution.

As a former Bible-Belter who was educated at a university in the Deep South, I took some offense to the OP's notion that such a scene would be astonishing. As if he expected to walk into a university lecture hall and hear "I'M DR. CLETUS AND I AIN'T COME FROM NO GAWLDURNED MONKEY!"

[–]bradwasheresoyeah 5 points6 points ago

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I live in the south and know quite a few elementary and high school teachers. Many of them say evolution is a lie (one being a biology teacher). ಠ_ಠ

[–]jimicus 0 points1 point ago

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Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.

[–]TheDCRebel 0 points1 point ago

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I do too. I also know plenty who think otherwise. But, unless people are going to Bob Jones, Liberty, or Oral Roberts pretty much no large school in the South (or anywhere) is going to have some IDer teaching a biology course.

[–]Dr_Dippy 28 points29 points ago

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As a non american, I find it sad that this is even an issue. Stay strong my reasonable brethren

[–]bibs 5 points6 points ago

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I'm with you. I couldn't imagine a high-school teacher saying different here in England, never mind a professor.

[–]SockofBadKarma 51 points52 points ago

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So you felt like an opportunistic Nazi?

Odd sort of feeling...

[–]VinnydaHorse 7 points8 points ago

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All is see is alto wine on the right. Too much Skyrim...

[–]He11razor 1 point2 points ago

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You and me both....

[–]mummerlimn 8 points9 points ago

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Near the end of last semester in Cellular Bio, some kid stood up and said that he had enough, that evolution was false, and that creationism should be taught in schools (I'm in college). Everyone else sat stone faced silent, and I got into a pretty hot debate with him refuting his points until he stormed out of the class. I got high fives from everyone and kudos from the professor at the end of class. The next time I saw him was in lab giving the teacher a bible. I didn't see him at the final.

[–]cmotdibbler 8 points9 points ago

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I see another "faculty" candidate for the Creation Museum.

[–]Testiculese 5 points6 points ago

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If I was the prof, I would have acted excited. "This is great! Thanks! I always wanted to throw one away, but I couldn't justify the purchase!" tosses in trash.

[–]thecritic06 1 point2 points ago

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I tend to take and dispose of the bibles in hotel rooms. They aren't hotel property, they're abandoned there by a religious organisation, so I don't see any problem in unabandoning them and then abandoning them in a trash can. I've thrown away a good few bibles in my time.

[–]deejayalemus 0 points1 point ago

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It's not about faith, it's about sending a message. Everything burns.

[–]Missfawkes 16 points17 points ago

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thatz a BINGO!

[–]captainhaddock 13 points14 points ago

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That's numberwang!

[–]hamkitteh 5 points6 points ago

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Maximum santzgaut!!

[–]Gibbsey 1 point2 points ago

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um... 6?

[–]joe5000 0 points1 point ago

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That's numberwang! Scoff a number...

[–]sapunec7854 8 points9 points ago

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Every time someone says the "theory" shit I just ask them this:

"So was there a glitch in reality when Newton's law of gravity was substituted with Einstein's theory or is simply that you are a retard who parrots bullshit he doesn't really understand, making himself look like an intelectual pygmy in the process?"

[–]Blue_Shift 7 points8 points ago

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Ahh, I've used that one before. That professor sounds awesome.

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points ago

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i felt the say way in my Physical Anthropology class today when we were talking about evolution. On a side note whats Allah's take on the whole evolution thing?

[–]WorkingMouse 8 points9 points ago

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It's similar on the Islamic front; most of the liberal Muslims are ok with evolution; a fair chunk of the moderate and a massive amount the fundamentalist Muslims are creationists, if I understand correctly.

[–]juice7486 6 points7 points ago

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weird, they had to shut down the highway where I live yesterday because somebody tested gravity off a bridge. and into 3 cars.

[–]harabanaz 5 points6 points ago

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Was he testing evolution too?

[–]bradwasheresoyeah 8 points9 points ago

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He was testing natural selection.

[–]deejayalemus 1 point2 points ago

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[–]thecritic06 0 points1 point ago

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It's not particularly fair to mock a person who was in such a severe state of despair that they thought their only way out was suicide. You have no idea what they'd been through for starters.

[–]tritanVp 9 points10 points ago

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If I ever become a professor, I'm going to get tenure and then start off every class by challenging God to a wizarding duel.

[–]bibs 2 points3 points ago

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A professor of wizardry?

[–]XaVierDK 4 points5 points ago

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Defense against the dark arts obviously

[–]deejayalemus 0 points1 point ago

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A Boggart comes to mind.

[–]toSTONEiGO 2 points3 points ago

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There is more evidence for evolution than gravity.....

[–]htawrew13 2 points3 points ago

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Is that Alto Wine?

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points ago

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Evolution as a general mechanism is for me almost a certain truth but it really really irks me when people draw that comparison to gravity. What happens to you when you jump of the bridge is the effect of gravity and completely distinct from any theory trying to explain what gravity is. It would be like saying "just step in front of an elephant to test the theory of evolution", a complete non-sequitur. Nobody disagrees that the result of evolution exists (ie varied, complex life) just as nobody disagrees that the result of gravity exists (ie things fall down). Now, if you want to get into theories trying to explain gravity you'll soon find yourself unburdened of any certainties. I'd wager that we have a far better grasp on evolution then on gravity.

[–]Tron9510 2 points3 points ago

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Umm....people do disagree with the result of evolution. They believe that god created all animals at once. So the analogy is a good one.

[–]mcorrie1121 0 points1 point ago

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One could possibly believe natural selection and evolution are real yet we didn't come from a single organism.

[–]iMissMacandCheese 1 point2 points ago

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Even if we don't come from a single organism, we also didn't all start at one time, which they often also believe.

[–]harabanaz 1 point2 points ago

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Now if only they could find that goddamn particle.

[–]redditisoverrated 1 point2 points ago

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I think the professor was more leaning towards a joke based on evolution and the Darwin awards...

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points ago

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don't see it. The title suggest the common fallacy of trying to associate the certainty about certain scientific laws (ie everything falls) to the certainty about scientific theories explaining those laws (ie general theory of relativity, theory of quantum gravity, Newton's theory of gravitation).

[–]kontankarite 1 point2 points ago

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LOL!!! I love your professor. Let him know that I said WORD THE FUCK UP!

[–]UofMtigers2014[S] 6 points7 points ago

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To your and I'm assuming many others' surprise, it's a she.

[–]kontankarite 1 point2 points ago

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...I'm taken. I'm taken... I'm taken...

[–]lemonloafer 5 points6 points ago

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I'm a married spud, I'm a married spud...

[–]hb198924 1 point2 points ago

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Doing this would rid the world of so many ignorant people.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points ago

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A similar thing happened in my anthropology class years ago in (also a Bible Belt) college.... on the first day of class the professor said, "Oh, by the way, evolution happened. You can line up all the fossils and see it happening. Anyway..."

[–]amadorUSA 1 point2 points ago

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But... But... But... "Theory" means I can choose to make up my mind about it or not, doesn't it?

[–]are_you_positive 1 point2 points ago

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Any biologist who doesn't believe in evolution as a theory is not a biologist. This is not surprising.

[–]Dyan654 1 point2 points ago

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That is the funniest damn gif I have seen, EVER. I have clicked on this about 10 times while browsing reddit and I still laugh!

[–]duckandcover 1 point2 points ago

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Went to pre NYE party and some Medical Dr is spouting off about how there's no evidence of transitional species. Fortunately, in the 21st century, we have smart phones. Googled a site that comprehensively debunked that and shut him up.

[–]PachucaSunrise 1 point2 points ago

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ooooo! Thats a bingo!

[–]nosiwohL 0 points1 point ago

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You beat me to it

[–]superflashiz 1 point2 points ago

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right - it is called 'intelligent falling'

[–]BackToTheBasic 1 point2 points ago

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You fucking Nazi!

[–]hhsstangs22 1 point2 points ago

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Yay University of Memphis!

[–]dannyfran 1 point2 points ago

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From your username, I'm assuming that you're in the Memphis area. (I'm from around there, too, although I go to school elsewhere.) That's pretty freakin' sweet considering all of the mega-churches in the surrounding area. Kudos to your professor and to you! (:

[–]UofMtigers2014[S] 0 points1 point ago

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I was surprised she said it, but being a college professor, I am not surprised she thinks that way. I know of high school teachers in the area that are the opposite.

[–]LowSlimBoot 1 point2 points ago

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I wish I could just upvote this over and over and over again.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points ago

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Unfortunately, my professor pussy footed around the topic

[–]Steampoweredrudeboy 1 point2 points ago

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Oh man, this post made my night. Thank you kindly OP

[–]OnTheBorderOfReality 1 point2 points ago*

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To be fair, your professor's analogy is flawed. It's not the Theory of Falling, but the Theory of Gravity, which is an explanation for falling.

[–]deejayalemus 1 point2 points ago

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I've been hearing a lot about this intelligent falling idea.

[–]ncocca 0 points1 point ago

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I was just thinking this. These idiot theists make no attempt to explain anything other than evolution. Why have they not branched out into other areas of science? Because they don't directly contradict their bible. If they think they are so versed in the sciences and explanation of phenomena, we should ask them why and how gravity exists, along with magnetism, etc...

[–]littleantyant 1 point2 points ago

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It's sad, that you Americans are actually happy when you hear that a teacher will teach science, instead of creationism. I can't understand how schools in the first world can still teach creationism INSTEAD of science.

[–]OnTheBorderOfReality 0 points1 point ago

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I don't think creationism in schools here is actually that common, it's just controversial where it does happen. I never had it taught to me.

[–]tnova 1 point2 points ago

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I DID NAZI THAT COMING

[–]ShaRose 2 points3 points ago

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Here's what I'd be saying in my head: "Sir, while I agree with your sentiment, and agree with what you say for the most part, but Evolution is not a fact. It is a scientific theory that explains facts."

[–]strawnotrazz 29 points30 points ago

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Evolution is both a theory and a fact. The fact of evolution is that organisms within a species change genetically from generation to generation. The theory is that this easily observable process results from natural selection, claims of common ancestry, etc.

[–]ShaRose 8 points9 points ago

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And that kind of answer is exactly why it would stay in my head. Thanks for pointing that out.

[–]WorkingMouse 12 points13 points ago

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Meaning no disrespect, that kind of answer is why you should say it!

Ask the question, seem a fool for a moment. Don't ask the question, remain a fool.

[–]LoboDaTerra 0 points1 point ago

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He made a bingo!!

[–]godismyhoe 0 points1 point ago

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I can't see the story because it was blocked by the country, can someone copy-paste it and message me?

[–]wadad17 0 points1 point ago

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... Hmm, all my Science teachers from the 8th grade and then on stated this almost instantly... Well congrats anyways! I too felt like a happy go lucky Nazi :D

[–]Entheist 0 points1 point ago

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Haha! He's dancing to my music! Fuck your religious reference lol.

[–]virtyy 0 points1 point ago

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Coincidentally you would also test darwinism that way.

[–]thesalemdit 0 points1 point ago

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Evolution, my dear Watson.

[–]boatsnhoes904 0 points1 point ago

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I'd be happy too if I had a potion of ultimate magicka next to me.

[–]YouDontSayBro 0 points1 point ago

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The irony is that what we now know about gravity will probably turn out to be just a 'theory'.

[–]zibitee 0 points1 point ago

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Anyone else notice the alto wine?

[–]massacredfield 0 points1 point ago

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I live in the Bible Belt as well and my Bio prof. was explaining how bodies of water turn red because of the massive amounts of dead corpses that are composed of diatoms. Then, she said that this was more likely the reason that caused people to think Jesus turned the water into Blood and not because it was a miracle.

The reaction was PRICELESS!

My new favorite prof.

[–]OldxScratch 0 points1 point ago

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This page is proof that a mere picture can produce many........many words.

[–]MoneyCrumpler 0 points1 point ago

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All my biology proffs at my christian university say this same thing when they teach. I'd be surprised if a biology proff at any university would say otherwise.

[–]ibemarkv 0 points1 point ago

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Evolution may be a theory, but the idea of god doesn't even make it to hypothesis

[–]BaskinsRedd 0 points1 point ago

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He must be from out of town.

[–]IDontHaveTimeForThis 0 points1 point ago

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Is that a bottle of alto wine on the desk?

[–]Loop_Within_A_Loop 0 points1 point ago

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WHERE DO ALL THESE BIO CLASSES HAPPEN?!?!?!?!

Fellow American bio major here yet (Chicago, woot woot), and I have yet to hear a single professor talk about evolution the first day of class.

[–]hyppo 0 points1 point ago

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A Mizzou student I see... :P

But seriously, that's awesome

[–]BrainTroubles 0 points1 point ago

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Okay that is awesome, but can someone clear something up for me as it's puzzled me for a while? I realize gravity is a theory, but...is the theory of gravitation different from the laws of gravitation? I may have just had a poor physics teacher, but I distinctly remember learning about the laws of universal gravitation and newtons laws of motion. Does the theory of planetary gravity not fall into those categories? What are the differences that exclude it if that is the case? Just wondering, I tried to look this up once and didn't find a satisfactory answer.

[–]roadiegirl34 0 points1 point ago

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Lmfao, best thing I've seen on reddit all day.

[–]BackOnTheBacon 0 points1 point ago

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THAT'S A BINGO!

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

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Evolution got a boost about 10k years ago when the biological uplifters were sent down by the higher-ups to help blend the races.

[–]undeadSeasponge 0 points1 point ago

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Ohhhhh that's a BINGO.

[–]BruceDoh 0 points1 point ago

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I actually prefer the way most of my professors handle the issue at my Canadian university. When they talk about evolution, they talk about it the same way they talk about other theories, and don't even entertain the notion that there could possibly be anyone who doesn't believe it.

[–]Keljhan 0 points1 point ago

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But....Evolution isn't a fact. And gravity is a theory. I understand where your professor is coming from, and I agree, but that's really not true.

Just putting this here to make sure people don't get too confused.

[–]sweetly_flying 0 points1 point ago

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Ten times better than my professor's approach which was to lecture fiercely about how much evidence was required to form a "theory" and then show us slides from his trip to Charles Darwin's house.

[–]asw138 0 points1 point ago

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Errrr, I don't know if I'd call CoMo the Bible Belt. Now Springfield, that's Bible Belt! (If you don't actually go to University of Missouri, please disregard.)

[–]FalseBuddha 0 points1 point ago

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My sister's bio prof at UGA started her first class this semester with "There are two main questions in biology: who and why. I look to God for the who."

This same prof has Bible verses in her lectures and constantly brings up creationism. She says you don't have to check your religion at the door to study evolution.

[–]ladyhecate 0 points1 point ago

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bazzinga!

[–]Yeanucca 0 points1 point ago

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Isn't gravity a law and not a theory? Pardon my stupidity if I'm wrong.

[–]tony1449 0 points1 point ago

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And you represented an atheist as a Nazi?