Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed is not due out until February 2008, and for that matter it doesn’t even seem to be done filming yet, but it is sure causing a lot of stir. Starring Ben Stein, the movie is a documentary addressing the alleged anti-ID (anti-anti-Darwinian?) bias in the American scientific and education communities.
As I’ve written before, some of the anti-theist scientists interviewed for the film claim they were misled about the type of documentary it was, and fear how they will be edited for the film.
Producer Walt Ruloff recently gave a podcast-interview to Rob Crowther at Intelligent Design The Future, which addresses some of the questions and may perhaps cause even more stir. Some of the points made in the interview:
- Those interviewed were provided both a full disclosure and release to sign, as well as provided the questions asked, before the interviews.
- The responses will not be edited.
- One of the leading genomic researchers in the country stated that a growing percentage of their research is pointing in directions that they can’t publish, or risk losing their funding.
- 20% to 30% of their findings are being shelved
You can listen to part 1 of the interview here, and part 2 here.
Considering that a reported 85% of the population already question the materialistic evolutionary metanarrative, this film could very well threaten the status quo, and cause some examination of the Government’s funding process. A little skepticism is a good thing. I do hope, however, that the film’s producers stick to the facts. All it will take is some minor bits of misinformation to threaten the film’s conclusions. Although, that didn’t seem to hurt Al Gore or Michael Moore.
“there is mounting empirical evidence to “suspect” there’s a whole additional layer chemically on top of the genes that is inherited but is not DNA”
Well, that may or may not be a scientific improvement on the current theory of evolution, but it has nothing to do with the nonsense that Ben Stein and the creationists are promoting.
You should read more. Start here.
“this film could very well threaten the status quo, and cause some examination of the Government’s funding process”
Well, the propaganda was seen by about 1 million of the faithful. But I’m ready to wager that there’s no real threat to the status quo (the proposed laws have all failed so far) and there will be no change to the funding process.
“I’m actually open to various evolutionary theories.”
There is only one scientific evolutionary theory.
“Darwinism”
You keep using that word. But it doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a pejorative used by the ignorant. The Modern Theory of Evolution depends on 150+ years of evidence and the name of the person who first published some ideas 150 years ago is pretty much irrelevant to the actual theory.
You keep coming back… that’s very interesting. You seem driven by your conclusions. I’m actually open to various evolutionary theories. Regarding the “Darwin led to Hitler” idea, it’s clear that evolutionary theory/Darwinism had an impact on Hitler & Co.; if nothing else, it provided a “scientific” excuse some of their actions. It of course was not the only influence; Hitler also used the existence of a warped Christian bias against the Jews, and claimed that Jesus was Aryan… It’s a fact, unfortunately, that Darwinian ideas have added fuel to various forms of racism such as some of the neo-Nazis, who rely heavily on Darwinism to support their agenda.
But, does Darwinism directly lead to racism? Not directly, but it’s a very short leap.
“All it will take is some minor bits of misinformation to threaten the film’s conclusions.”
So the major mountains of misinformation could be a problem. What’s your opinion on “Darwin led to Hitler”?
“this film could very well threaten the status quo”
Hilarious.
“that didn’t seem to hurt Al Gore or Michael Moore.”
Very apt comparison. A political propagnada film might make some money even if it is mainly lies.