Albion College
Fall 02021
Discussion Questions for TC, Ch. 6
1. Would you think that scientists from a
different area of science have the privilege (dunno if
this is the right word) as Wake and his family had in how "in
his long, rich life [never] felt any conflict between religion
and scientific knowledge?" (149)
2. How do you feel about the idea of "respect[ing]
evidence and remember[ing] that religion must
accommodate reality."? (149)
3. Do you think we humans are done evolving? I know Dr.
Bollman talks about the whole two opposable thumbs idea but
it is hard for me to think or imagine us evolving any more
than what our bodies are.
4. Do you think evolution is a theory or a fact?
5. Did you ever consider ants/insects to have social
skills?
6. Why do so many people think that evolution and
creationism are separate entities that we can only believe
one of?
7. "Again and again, the opponents of evolution have
managed to keep evolution from being taught in our schools
or have demanded that biology textbooks also present
'alternative viewpoints' to evolutionary theory, including
nonscientific, data-deprived ideologies like creationism
and intelligent design," (151). Does this statement align
with what you were taught in school?
8. Are creationism and intelligent design,
"nonscientific, data-deprived ideologies" as Angier
states?
9. I feel like Angier saying "I wish scientists had a word of their own, to mean what a theory means to them" is probably the most useful thing I've heard her say in a long time, but then she follows it up with superfluous fiddle and it totally trashed the moment for me.
10. For those of you who want another lovely example of "why the hell does this animal exist" google the shoebill stork.
11. The bit about "the closer someone is to us macroscopically, the closer they are alphabetically" refers to ATCG right?
12. Despite the fact that evolutionary biologists "don't
debate the fundamentals," will we ever reach a point where
they stop debating the fine print?
9. I feel like Angier saying "I wish scientists had a word of their own, to mean what a theory means to them" is probably the most useful thing I've heard her say in a long time, but then she follows it up with superfluous fiddle and it totally trashed the moment for me.
10. For those of you who want another lovely example of "why the hell does this animal exist" google the shoebill stork.
11. The bit about "the closer someone is to us macroscopically, the closer they are alphabetically" refers to ATCG right?