Denyse’s interpretation is incorrect, because she is only basing it on the press release. It illustrates her own misunderstandings (whether through passive or willful ignorance.)

I have been trying to gain access to the original study cited, but it was published in Nature, which is subscription only. If only it had been published in PubMed or in PLoS, or a similar open journal.

As for Stein, I know from experience the things that he claims on academia are incorrect. At first I was under the impression that he was willing to appear in the film as a paid talking head, and I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. The problem is that his public statements on the movie indicate that he sincerely believes that people are being damaged by “Big Science.” He has proven himself unwilling to listen to the facts that contradict his position and is now taking ownership of his work in the movie.

I would like to have given his game show a chance. I don’t know how I would have done. Playing at home versus playing on a TV set are quite different things. I do know that on occasions that I played at home I would have beat him, and on other occasions I would have lost. I have learned by playing Trivial Pursuit that the knowledge needed in playing games like that, the answers are often in the question and understanding how to read the question is often better than having prior knowledge of the subject. I rarely lose at Trivial Pursuit, not because I am smarter than my opponents, but because I know the game.

But, all that can change under klieg lights.

The second is that the sponge evolved its simpler form from the more complex form. This second possibility underscores the fact that “evolution is not necessarily just a march towards increased complexity,” Dunn said.

And, re Stein, do you have credibility to say he has no credibility? Could you win Ben Stein’s money? (btw, I don’t think I could …)

The sunshine was great, by the way. Spent all afternoon outside (without a jacket); took some photos, sat outside Starbucks and had a frappacino, chatted with my nephews and Brianna in the park. I love spring.

Second item, Stein has no credibility on this.

Third item looks very interesting and I look forward to reading it.

Enjoy your sunshine.