Thursday, September 04, 2008
Only Driven on Sunday
Yesterday I pointed to an article in the Fort Worth Weekly by Laurie Barker James and today Rob Crowther of the Discovery Institute's Ministry of Misinformation is in high dudgeon. Crowther complains about Ms. James statement that:The [Center for Science and Culture's] leaders have advanced degrees — but they aren't scientists: Director Stephen Meyer has a Ph.D. in the history and philosophy of science, while Associate Director John G. West holds a doctorate in government.
Discovery Institute has as Fellows nine PhD biologists or biochemists. Additionally, there are several who are chemists, physicists or astronomers. To imply that Discovery's PhD credentialed Fellows are only in philosophy or some other non-hard science area is untrue, and a disservice to readers.
Also, as the DI is wont to do, Crowther quibbles about the definition of creationism, trying to limit the term to young-Earth creationists. But creationism is a theological position broader than the claim that the Earth is only 6,000 years old. It includes various old-Earth creationists and it clearly includes a view, as described by William Dembski, another of those DI Fellows, that:
Intelligent design is just the Logos theology of John's Gospel restated in the idiom of information theory.
But the funniest part of the screed is this:
Barker's article is wrong about Discovery Institute, misrepresents what evolution and intelligent design are, and misleads readers about the evidence related to Darwinian evolution. Perhaps she should stick to what she knows enough about to have an informed opinion: restaurant reviews.
One slight problem: one of those rock stars, indeed one of the organizers of the meeting, Massimo Pigliucci, flatly contradicts Mazur, except in the trivial sense that science is never finished and always open to change.
Maybe Crowther should consider getting a media position better suited to his talents: like writing copy for used car dealer ads.
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