A little Gotcha! from the National Geographic

[Bossy Monkey]

Cover: WAS DARWIN WRONG?

Turn to the story: NO.

I haven't read the entire article yet, but it looks to be a very cogent defense. Won't turn any hard-core fundamentalists, but as it points out, a steady 45% of Americans tell pollsters that they believe that humans were created pretty much as they are some time in the past 10,000 years, and there aren't that many fundamentalists in America. Maybe some who aren't completely clueless, just ignorant, will pick up the issue and learn something.

First the global warming issue, then this. I wonder if NG is having a reaction to having the religious right running things in DC for 4 years?

Also for map freaks, there's an insert with a new world map, with a nighttime view of the world's city lights on the reverse. First map insert since I started the subscription last Christmas.

Note: this isn't a continuation of the earlier evolution thread and flamewar. If you feel the need to sound off on your belief in creationism, do it on your own thread.

[Mabus]

1. Hopefully this will blow a few of their fundie brains

(AP) -- In a breathtaking discovery, scientists working on a remote Indonesian island say they have uncovered the bones of a human dwarf species marooned for eons while modern man rapidly colonized the rest of the planet.

One tiny specimen, an adult female measuring about 3 feet tall, is described as "the most extreme" figure to be included in the extended human family. Certainly, she is the shortest.

--snip--

Yet evidence suggests Flores Man made stone tools, lit fires and organized group hunts for meat.

Just how this primitive, remnant species managed to hang on and whether it crossed paths with modern humans is uncertain. Geologic evidence suggests a massive volcanic eruption sealed its fate some 12,000 years ago, along with other unusual species on the island.

--snip--

To others, the specimen's baffling combination of slight dimensions and coarse features bears almost no meaningful resemblance either to modern humans or to our large, archaic cousins.

They suggest that Flores Man doesn't belong in the genus Homo at all, even if it was a recent contemporary.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/10/27/dwarf.cavewoman.ap/index.html

[Bossy Monkey]

3. Did you also post this separately? Much too cool to be buried in my silly

National Geographic thread.

[Mabus]

5. Good suggestion

but others caught on to it and it has been posted numerous times now.

[Paul Lazzaro]

2. I'll always have a soft spot in my hard heart for National Geographic

The first time I ever saw pictures of nekkid wimmens was in the pages of that fine, fine publication.

[Bossy Monkey]

4. Welcome to DU! I think you'll fit in as a Lounge Lizard n/t

[tsakshaug]

6. Started to read it last night

between the eclipse and not watching the sox, about halfway through. Very good