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Liane Cochran-Stafira (lcochran@midway.uchicago.edu)
Fri, 21 Jun 1996 10:01:36 -0500 (CDT)
Please, let's not continue this thread on the cp list. There are more
appropriate venues on the net for discussions such as these. The only
comment I will offer is this: Evolution by natural selection is a
MECHANISM by which we can explain the diversity of life on earth. So if
you want to believe in some sort of supreme being, whose to say this entity
didn't simply lay down the laws of the universe (including natural
selection and the other components of modern evolutionary theory) and let
things follow on their own course. At least this is one suggestion
presented by one of my evolution professors several years ago. Seems to
make more sense to me than wasting time and breath trying to deny that
evolution has and is occurring or trying to tear down millenia of cultural
and religious beliefs and mythologies. There is far too much concrete
evidence supporting Darwin's theory to deny its validity (and remember, a
scientific theory is a well substantiated explanation for phenomena that
can be used to make predictions - it is NOT a "best guess" as the term is
used in common parlance.). Frankly, if I were really pressed to reconcile
religious belief and an acceptance of the theory of evolution, I'd say
that's one mighty clever higher being who came up with such a nifty system
for producing such wondrous things as carnivorous plants.
No need to respond to this. Just take it as my comment on the issue. Now,
let's get back to cp stuff - it's alot better for my health and sanity.
Along those lines, I am finally planning my cp trip into eastern Canada and
New England this August. When we finalize our plans a little more, I may
be contacting some of you kind folks for some suggestions for places to
visit along our planned route. This trip will be part vacation and part
research, and I will have official permits to visit plant populations in
national, provincial, and state parks as well as Crown lands to sample the
fluid from S. purpurea pitchers. I hope to get some great photos as well.
Cheers,
Liane
Liane Cochran-Stafira
Dept. of Ecology and Evolution
The University of Chicago
1101 East 57th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637-5415
phone: 312-702-1930
fax: 312-702-9740
e-mail: lcochran@midway.uchicago.edu