Urban Legend?
by MikeGeneOver at Pharyngula, PZ Myers posts an editorial by Philip Hensher. Hensher floats the rumor that the Smithsonian will not be celebrating Darwin Day in 2009. We'll have to wait and see on that one. More significant, in my opinion, is the other rumor from Hensher's editorial:
Anti-Darwinists have been gaining in confidence over the last few years, and increasingly, alternative "theories" of life are being taught in schools and universities.
Bald creationism and its absurdly mock-plausible alternative, "intelligent design", are everywhere being taught as alternative theories to Darwin's theory of evolution.
What schools is Hensher talking about?? Are they the same ones that have the CIA searching through students' lockers when everyone else is in class? Or is it the one with the janitor who is, well, not completely human?
June 2nd, 2006 at 11:02 am
Maybe he is talking about private and home schools. Most home schools (at least the ones I am familiar with) teach Creationism.
Comment by johnnyb — June 2, 2006 @ 11:02 am
June 2nd, 2006 at 11:30 am
I'm curious. Are institutions expected to celebrate the birthdays of all prominent scientists, or just Darwin's? Does the Smithsonian celebrate a 'Newton day' or a 'Medel Day' or a 'Hawking day'?
Comment by BenK — June 2, 2006 @ 11:30 am
June 2nd, 2006 at 11:41 am
Hi JohnnyB,
Actually, Hensher talks of creationism and intelligent design being taught "everywhere", specifically in "schools and universities." Most universities aren't taught from home.
Comment by Krauze — June 2, 2006 @ 11:41 am
June 2nd, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Well, I guess we can expect Jesus to walk through the door any day now.
Comment by Mung — June 2, 2006 @ 1:02 pm