Local Cincinnati Paper |
Editorial Page
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Date currently unknown |
| The letter entitled "Museum 'agenda'" was
a sad example of the state of scientific literacy in this contrary. The
author took issue with the evolutionary exhibits at the Museum of Natural
History (of all places).
One claim made was that entropy (the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics which states that the total degree of disorder increases with time) disproves what the writer called "upward change" (increases in order over time). This is an all too common misperception. Some simple contemplation of the author's view of entropy would demonstrate that if he were correct, that growth, for example, would not be possible. It is true that entropy increases with time, but it does so in closed systems (such as the universe). Most systems, however, are open, meaning that they interact with other systems (such as our bodies). Order can, and routinely does, increase in complexity within a system, so long as it feeds off of the downward flow of entropy from another system. This must happen in such a way that the total degree of entropy between two systems results in a net increase in entropy. |
The author also claims that evolution is
a theory discredited over 100 years ago, but didn't indicate with whom
it was discredited. Certainly not by the scientific community involved
in investigating the beautiful and complex mystery of the origins of life.
Continuing research yields increasing support of the basic tenets of evolutionary theory from many different fields. Vigorous debate continues, but only concerning specifics such as time scales, relative ordering, mechanisms, and so forth. I wish I had more space to completely refute the bizarre claims of the author, especially with regard to transitional forms (what the author called cross-generational fossils). Most misinformation is relatively easy to refute, but it is difficult to be heard above the din; especially as political/religious groups organize in opposition to increasing human knowledge when it challenges their belief systems. Todd Brennan
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