And for my next trick, this weeks lottery numbers will be . . . .
Last year (well all right, December 31 2008), I blogged about how certain phrases in science papers could have been better constructed to avoid misrepresentation and quote mining by creationists.
The example I used was:
The size increases appear to have occurred when ambient oxygen concentrations reached sufficient concentrations for clades to realize pre-existing evolutionary potential, highlighting the long-term dependence of macroevolutionary patterns on both biological potential and environmental opportunity. (emphasis added)
From Payne, J. L. et al. (2009) Two-phase increase in the maximum size of life over 3.5 billion years reflects biological innovation and environmental opportunity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(1): 24-27.
Today, PZ Myers had blogged that the creationists are using this exact quote to support their discredited views.
Told ya! And yes, I'm looking at you Eamon Knight! :-)
Wasn't there a t.o Home Game credit for predicting that Creationists would abuse some new development?
ReplyDeleteGood call. So any word on whether the world will end in 2012? =P
ReplyDeleteI'm also happy to see you posting more regularly. I really enjoy your articles.
Good call and I’m certain that you’re right on this point; however, I have doubts as to whether the crazies can be kept at bay regardless of the care taken in writing…
ReplyDelete“The moment a person forms a theory his imagination sees in every object only the traits which favor that theory.” (Thomas Jefferson)
Creationists further exasperate this situation by exchanging theory for superstition.