Some absolutely ridiculous arguments going on in the Science forum the last couple days

[semillama]

Specifically talking about the argument about lumping genus Pan in with genus Homo, essentially because someone has some species self-loathing issues to work through, and not based on any understanding of taxonomy or paleoanthropology.

It's not as crazy as the anti-vaxers, but it's another example of how sometimes left wing ideologies can color a person's view of science.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. That's actually a matter of some debate among biologists.

[TZ]

2. among SOME

Not alot. The breeding issue alone settles this. Horses and Donkeys can breed even if their offspring are sterile Mules and they are separate genus. Sorry, I don't buy the argument that chimps should be lumped in with genus homo.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. But breeding is to do with species, not genus

Defining whether you should have one, or more than one, genus for all the species from one common ancestor is always going to be a subjective decision. Horses and donkeys are in the same genus: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/classification/Equus.html

[semillama]

6. Yes, and I'd love to have some actual debate on that

but all I get is this "Homo vulgaris" crap and the only thing significant that Homo sapiens has done is pollute the environment. but "The biology is solid" is apparently all one needs to know.

[Random_Australian]

3. I have the cure: This source of rigorous scientific debate between great minds.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=228&topic_id=38400&mesg_id=38400

Though if you could not steal my argument*, that would be great.

*Steal my argument: It's he answers me, and you answer him, so all in all I get pushed out.

[moggie]

4. Oh, you've been tangling with that creo kook

On other topics he can write quite sensibly, but when he starts on science or atheism he turns into a frothing loon. He's not worth the effort.

[Random_Australian]

9. "not worth the effort"?

I'm smiling here!

How could that not be worth it?

[salvorhardin]

5. It's rare that somebody can so willfully misunderstand all of science

Physics, biology, astronomy, cosmology... That crank has it covered.

[semillama]

7. Indeed.

He must be some sort of idiot savant.

[Random_Australian]

10. Mathematicians work by choosing the most elegant solution.

This I know, for that guy tells me so.

And he also tells me that unsupported assertions are, in fact, a great source of knowledge. No, really.

[salvorhardin]

11. I think he's confusing knowledge with inspiration

Along with a great many other things.