Posted by coach on May 12, 1998 at 13:29:41:
In Reply to: Evolution by natural selection - experimentally verifiable, repeatable, predictable and a damn good theory posted by rpcman on April 24, 1998 at 01:36:20:
: : 1. What predictions can you make with that theory?
: If something reproduces hereditarily and there is variation in individual characters among the members and there is variation in the fitness of the organisms then natural selection automatically results.
: : 2. Describe an experiment that shows evolution
: : happens so my buddies and I can replicate it,
: : watch it, make our own observations and see if
: : they match yours.
: Scientists do this all the time. You can find several such experiments on the internet too that you can replicate. Most involve moths or fruitflies since they reproduce quickly. For even faster results try bacteria.
: : 3. That experiment should be repeatable for
: : anyone who wants to try it under controlled
: : conditions.
: And they are. The above book mentions at least a half dozen examples that you can try at home (and like I said I'm only about 1/7th of the way through it--I'm sure there are many more to come.)
: : I largely believe in evolution but it's
: : not predictable enough to call it anything more
: : than a theory.
: I'm not sure what you mean by this. Theories are very predictable.
: : It wouldn't look strange next to my collection
: : of countless, clearly presented testimonials of
: : the supernatural.
: Now these I'd like to see repeated or even varified. If you think that is possible, let me know and my good pal James Randi will allow me to split over a million bucks with you. Hell, I'll let you keep the entire pot so long as I can witness the events. ;)
Sorry rpcman, but you are using confusing and unclear language to back up your claims. Evolution (as in Speciation) cannot be shown and has not been shown in any laboratory. In fact, the leading Evolutionary proponents cannot agree on how it occurs. Evolution(Adaptation/Natural Selection) can be seen all around us and is obviously going on right now in many species.
The 2 are completely different, but undereducated people often confuse them or use one to try and substantiate the other. Please clarify which you are speaking of from now on so we will all know what we are talking about.