Excellent point Dr. Weiss. That is a big part of the reason discussions
like this are so important, in addition to the freedoms to believe the way
you choose and to speak your mind. Whether or not ID has anything to offer
scientific understanding, it is none the less part of the fabric of who and
what we are. Another in the long line of cultural phenomena that define who
we are as a culture, nation, and species. Not the first, and certainly not
the last.

I think understanding that fact bridges the gap quite well. The danger is
in allowing the ephemeral nature of cultural belief to suppress, undo, or
modify the ongoing process of learning about the universe around us. It
does indeed happen all the time, and ID is not the worst example, but it is
something we all need to guard against when we can.

Mark Janzen
Registrar/Collections Manager
Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art
Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection
Wichita State University
(316)978-5850


                                                                           
             martin weiss                                                  
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                                       Re: Smithsonian in an uproar,       
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             02/01/2005 08:53                                              
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             In all discussion of evolution (natural selection working on
genetic variability in populations) there is an elephant in the room
that cannot be ignored-peoples cultural and religious believes
especially about descent of humans. We do create models of the
natural world an strive to reconcile our observations to the models
and adjust the models to conform to our continued observations of the
natural world. This implies that we are continuously testing and
adjusting the models (doing science). However, non-scientists bring a
lot with them which tends to color their understanding of science.
Scientific theories (evolution, relativity, atomic structure of the
atom, eg) seem to be especially troublesome.  In the case of
evolution it is religion, especially when discussion involves human
evolution from a common ancestor. No one who questions evolution of
man questions (that I know of) using an elevator or the use of clocks
and calendars to schedule our lives or use of medicines (all of which
are based upon our use of models of the world (not facts) of the
theories of relativity, atomic structure and gravity).

             People make meaning of the  world around them based on
culture and we cannot ignore that in discussions of  understanding of
science. That said I am not sure how to bridge the gap except to say
that to ignore the elephant in the room (culture and religion) maybe
to ignore a lot of people who need (and perhaps want) to be in on the
discussion.

In today's NY Times' Science Section there is an article about
teaching of evolution in schools. And the news is not very good. See:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/01/science/01evo.html?hp&ex=1107320400&en=143526089b4b8af2&ei=5094&partner=homepage

(registration required but no cost.

Martin


--
Martin Weiss, Ph.D
Vice President, Science
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111 th Street
Corona, New York 11368
718 699 0005 x 356

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