Just a few questions...Part 2

Well, that’s interesting. I was looking over my blog, and I noticed that each article has a “posted at:” time at the bottom. I also noticed that they are all wrong.

I wasn’t lying when I said that it was almost 4 in the morning, Blogger, and I don’t appreciate your attempts to assassinate my character!

It would be really stupid to lie about how late I stay up writing my blog. I wouldn’t do that. The time represented is actually two hours slow.

I’m not a liar.

Anywho, part 2:

That rhymes.

This post is too long. I'm sorry.

I’d like to clarify that I’m definitely NOT saying that you can’t be a Christian, and accept evolution.

Millions of Christians believe there is room in a non-literal interpretation of the creation story for evolution. I do not mean to imply that these people are lost.

I am writing these posts because I think that the majority of those Christians believe it because they think they have to; because with what we know of science, there is no other option.

Not true.

Evolution is a theory. Only a theory. It has never been proven, and that’s a fact. It has, however, been accepted. In the mind of an evolutionist scientist, it is not a theory, but a fact; a truth. When he discovers a new fossilized species, he sets out immediately to find what it evolved from, and what may have evolved from it. He compares it to similar finds from “earlier” periods, and notes the differences--the advancements--and draws a conclusion of what he believes caused the changes over the course of time. He then writes them down in a paper, which if well received, will eventually be adapted into textbooks and taught as fact. Why? Because it’s plain as day:

“How do you know evolution is true?”

“It’s simple. The fossil record clearly shows a progression of change in early species.”

“Really? How do you know it’s not just showing a bunch of different species?”

“The similarities between the older and younger fossils indicate ancestry.”

“How do you know which ones are older?”

“Fossils are commonly dated by the layer of strata in which they are found.”

“How do you know certain layers of rock are so much older than others?”

“Layers of strata were initially dated by the fossils contained. This was later affirmed by radiometric dating.”

“Wait. So you theorized on how old they were, and then found a method to prove it? How do you know your findings weren’t influenced by what you already believed?”

“You’re clearly an idiot. This conversation is over.”

Evolution is true because evolution is true. All the logic one employs in “proving” it is based in a universe where it’s already proven. If you really believe in an all-powerful creator, the theory makes no sense. At all.  

Why would an omnipotent God require millions of years to create the species? How could a God who cannot lie do so, and then tell us a false story of how he did it in 7 days? How could God use natural selection in a world without death? How did species go extinct in a world without death? Why would God make millions of species just to kill them off before Man arrived? Were Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon also made in God’s image? Did the rest of evolving mankind die off to leave only Adam and Eve? Ooh, here’s one: if the fossil record is the product of millions of years, where is the evidence of Noah’s global flood? (A cataclysmic event, said by the Bible to have altered the very landscape of the entire planet less than 5,000 years ago.)

Even if you’re a proponent of the Gap Theory, which uses the story of Satan’s fall to explain (kinda) the age of the earth and the extinction of the dinosaurs in an attempt to “reconcile God and Science”, Darwin’s theory blatantly conflicts with the Bible. How anyone could think they’re compatible is beyond me.

(For my thoughts on radiometric dating, see the comments on my last post)

Evolution can only make sense if the Bible isn’t true, but then, it doesn’t really, does it? If you accept the theory and DON’T believe the Bible, well, I have a few questions for you too.

Hehe

I’m going to skip right over the spontaneous generation of life. I already know they can’t answer that one. This is another example of simply pushing back the question. Some like to push it back even further, and theorize that life was brought to earth from an extraterrestrial source.

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen! This is science! Life on earth all came from one common ancestor which came from...somewhere else...or here...maybe...we’re done, right?

Secular science has no idea where that first spark of life came from. They admit it. If it happened the way they think it might have happened, the mathematical probability is absurd. The simplest one-celled organism is no simple thing, and for it to generate randomly because the conditions are just right? Ha. They don’t even know what life is. But hypothetically, let’s say that it did.

Let’s say that in this primordial soup, where the conditions are just right, lightning strikes (or whatever) and that single-celled organism is born. Let’s call him Freddy.

Freddy’s all alone. Or if not, he’s with a million other Freddies that spawned with him, all swimming around in the soup they call home. It’s nice. It’s warm. There is plenty to eat; Freddy’s happy.

...But Freddy isn’t happy. He doesn’t have a brain, but he knows that if he doesn’t figure out how to reproduce, his species will die!

HOWWWW!?!?!

Not only did Freddy spawn into existence with a fully functioning body, he also is randomly gifted a well-rounded set of instincts! What is to stop that first species from dying out after the first generation? The “force of evolution”, that’s what! That’s totally a real thing!

Seriously, where does the survival instinct come from? Certainly not in this case from generations of being eaten.

If life consists only of randomly assembled bio-circuitry, isn’t it a little too convenient how it was programmed to sustain itself? It seems to me that if life were to simply generate, a far more likely result  would have the organism living only a matter of seconds: unable to metabolize food, or even locomote (move). (Yes, I could have simply said ‘move’ but... leave me alone.)

But let’s say we got past even that.

Luckily, Freddy was able to figure out cellular mitosis just in time, and more Freddies were born, fully capable of reproduction! PARTAY! And all the Freddies were happy!

But Freddy wasn’t happy for long. The landscape of earth was changing, and food was becoming more and more scarce. He would have to adapt to survive...

Ok, let’s just think for a moment. What happens when you uproot a creature, and place it in an environment where it’s not equipped to survive? It adapts, right? Becomes a new species? No? What happens then?

Oh, yeah. It dies.

This is probably the one thing about evolution that puzzles me the most. How do these creatures survive long enough to adapt? For a clearer example, let’s take a look at Freddy’s great-to-the -568th-power grandson, Frankie the fish.

Frankie has a problem. The sea is becoming a hostile place for a fish like him; predators    are everywhere, and it seems every day he shifts lower in the food chain. It’s time for a change. It’s time to push for the high ground. It’s time to push for the DRY ground.

Finally one day, after a serious psych-up session, he finds the courage and throws himself out of the water, and onto the beach.

GASP!

Can’t...breathe!

That is terrible! Obviously this isn’t going to work out right now. It’s time to start lung-growing exercises! Henceforth all of Frankie’s descendants will try to breathe air twice a day until lungs develop!

How does that make any sense? Keep in mind that the adaptation is said to take place over hundreds of thousands if not millions of years. Are we to believe that Frankie suffocated for a million years? And until that first breath of air, Frankie’s grandkids are carrying around an entirely useless organ, and living in the same intolerable conditions.

If Frankie can’t survive without lungs, how could he survive long enough to grow them? And if he can survive, why bother? There’s that force of evolution again. Strange how intelligent it is...

People have run all sorts of negative stimulation test on animals. One of two things happen. One, the animal learns to avoid the painful stimulus, or two, the animal is killed or injured by it. That’s what we’ve seen. That’s science. Animals do adapt to alien environments; they learn to avoid them.

Another example is how bats are believed to have evolved from a rat like creature.

Explain to me how a species that keeps trying to fly survives. Did they just hop around a lot? I dare you to explain to me how a species of rat survives for thousands of years--or even half a year--with its forelegs stretched into 70% of a bat wing! Just think about it.

It’s a funny thing, looking around at all the known animals, alive and extinct. They all look like complete creatures to me.

If I were to ask you to show me a missing link between a fish and a land creature, you might point to a lungfish. It has gills and lungs (Kinda). Naturally, a step between the two. Right?

But here’s the thing: lungfish are still around. Why? Because they’re perfectly suited to the environment they live in. They’re a complete creature, just as likely created by God to live in those conditions as adapted to them.

No, when I ask for a missing link, I want a missing link. I want to see something useless. I want to a half-developed lung. I want to see a half leg-half wing. (And I don’t mean a fully functioning gliding system like that of the flying squirrel) For that matter, show me what human beings are currently evolving! Why can’t I turn half invisible? Where are the signs of my eyes developing the ability to see a greater light spectrum? Why isn’t evolution happening anymore? Is it just that nobody’s uncomfortable enough?

Also, if the environment changed so that frankie would need lungs, what would happen if it changed back? Would he keep evolving them, propelled by the all-knowing force of evolution? Or would they wither away, now unneeded, cancelled as easily as commissioned by adaptation.

Why isn’t this happening everywhere?

Alright, last one. Let’s jump down another 16 million generations to a chimpanzee named...Herman.

Herman is three times stronger, MUCH more agile, and much better protected than Homo Sapiens, which almighty evolution has determined is his goal.

Last question: How do we make sense in evolution?

In a system based on survival of the strongest, why would Herman the Chimp want to become Herman the Human? Why on earth would he start to lose his insulating layer of fur? Why would he sacrifice his low, fast build just to have to duck under tree limbs? Why would evolution teach him to use tools, when his powerful jaws work just fine for all manner of foods? Why lose the incredibly useful opposing digits on his feet? Why sharpen his mind and give him a thirst for understanding? Does understanding aid survival?

Of course. Look at all mankind has accomplished! We’ve absolutely dominated this planet in a way unprecedented. We’ve gained the ability to utterly destroy it.

But how did the blind force of evolution know that? How did it know that making the weakest animal on the planet would make the greatest on the planet?

Tell me if you know!

If you can answer these questions, go ahead. Leave a comment, and tell me all the reasons why I’m wrong. I’d like that. In the meantime, here’s what makes sense to me:

Animals are similar because they have a common creator, not a common ancestor. They’re suited to their environments because they were designed for them.

We are not suited to our environment because we’re not animals.

Any questions?

Evolution: just a few questions... Part 1

Ahhh! I’m not done yet, but I’m so tired.

It’s 3 am, and I work a double tomorrow, so this is all you get.

Maybe in part 2 I’ll actually talk about evolution? That’s where it gets good.

Anyway, I said I'd talk more about evolution.

First, let me say that I realize I don’t have the most unbiased approach to the theory. I was raised in a Christian family--a very Christian family--and I’ve always believed in a quite literal interpretation of Genesis 1 as the origin of life on earth. I know the Bible is true, and therefore anything that contradicts it is false. That’s just the way I see it. Trying to convince me otherwise is utterly pointless. Really, I’ve never given evolution a chance, and I never will. When I listen to someone preach the theory, I don’t listen to determine if they’re right, I listen to determine how they’re wrong.

That said, I have listened.

You could argue that I’ve been programmed, but that is simply not the case. I know exactly what I believe, and I know exactly why. The Bible makes sense to me, and it’s the only thing that does.

I know more about evolution, and the “evidence” of it than at least 90% of the people who accept it as fact, and I’m not convinced. I’m not even impressed.

It’s a complete failure; it doesn’t even answer that many questions. It just pushes them back a few million years, so that they’re too dizzying to contemplate.

Not to mention all the questions it raises...

....Actually, I think I will mention a few.

Now the title says “evolution”, but I’m going to go ahead and throw the Big Bang theory in with it. Both present an alternative “answer” to intelligent design. We’ll call it the “No God Theory”.

Let’s just take a look at that theory. Ok, Wikipedia. Tell us where all this came from.

“The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model that describes the early development of the Universe. According to the theory, the Big Bang occurred approximately 13.798 ± 0.037 billion years ago, which is thus considered the age of the universe...”

Wait a minute. So I ask where it all came from, and your answer is “The middle”?!? What exploded? Ok, that sounds like a cheap shot. Here I am, picking on them for actually doing science. The Universe does appear to be expanding from a central point. That number comes from a lot of observation and math, as well as assumptions. For all I know, it could be correct.

Here’s my question: What started it? What caused the Big Bang?

Eternity, like infinity, is something that the human mind simply cannot fathom.

What troubles the mind even more? Nothing. That’s right. Just try to imagine nothing for a second. When you try to look for an answer to the origin of the universe, you are faced with a choice. Either something was always there, or there was a time when there was nothing.

What will it be?

Either way, there are no answers in the Big Bang. If all of the universe’s substance always existed, then what caused it to begin expanding 14 billion years ago? What changed? HOW COULD ANYTHING CHANGE?!?! And if it all just came out of nothing....

It’s obvious that force exists outside of time that we cannot understand. So far, the difference in our opinions is that I believe he has a conscious mind.  

“After this time, the Universe was in an extremely hot and dense state and began expanding rapidly. After the initial expansion, the Universe cooled sufficiently to allow energy to be converted into various subatomic particles, including protons, neutrons, and electrons. Though simple atomic nuclei could have formed quickly, thousands of years were needed before the appearance of the first electrically neutral atoms. The first element produced was hydrogen, along with traces of helium and lithium. Giant clouds of these primordial elements later coalesced through gravity to form stars and galaxies, and the heavier elements were synthesized either within stars or during supernovae.”

Um. Sure. I mean, that has to be it, right? When you cool universe juice down, it turns into protons. Cool. Oh? Neutrons too? You’re right. They definitely wouldn’t all become the same kind of particle just because they came from the same kind of energy. Things get more orderly and  complicated when you throw them around and knock them against each other, right?

I’ll be honest. I have no idea what I’m saying. I’m sure people put their life’s work into that paragraph; trying to figure out how something more complex than we can understand comes from something simpler than we can understand. But that’s just what they were doing: trying to find a way to make the theory work. That’s what they’ve been doing all along. Instead of looking for an answer to match the facts, they search for the facts to match their answer.

I look around the universe, and all I see are things breaking into smaller and smaller pieces.

Celestial bodies collide, shattering entire solar systems; black holes tear reality itself--destruction. Since when does random chance put things together? Or, when did it stop?  So there’s a force that causes these random happenings to stop when they find something that works? Does that make sense to you? I don’t get it.

I don’t know how much you know about atomic substructure. I can’t say I know very much myself. I do know this: an atom, even a lowly hydrogen atom, is no simple thing. A proton is a composite in itself, made from smaller particles of an unknown number and variety. As small as the universe is big, for all we know, an atom could hold its own universe, in constant, furious motion. It blows the mind. One atom. And not only are we to believe that this occurred by chance but that it occurred at least 1078 times.

!!!

That’s a lot. That’s a whole stinking lot.

That’s an unbelievable amount of order from chaos.

...Well, unbelievable for me. I just don't have that much faith is the power of chance.

Allow Me to Explain Myself

Getting to know someone can be a difficult thing. It’s easy, given time, to become familiar with how a person behaves in the environment in which you commonly observe them, but that person may act entirely differently when they are at home, or with another group of people, or maybe just when you aren’t there. You can only see what they do, and you can hear what they say; that person’s unique identity filtered and subdued by inhibitions and insecurities.

Of course, some are more affected than others.

You, for instance, might be so comfortable with yourself that insecurity isn’t a factor in your interactions. A mature person, discretion the only thing standing between your mind and your lips.

Congratulations! You probably have a lot of friends.

Me, on the other hand....

Oh, me.

I have friends, mind you. Good friends. Most of whom are now my friends because I stepped briefly from my comfort zone at one time or another, but I tend to...like my comfort zone... It’s cozy in here.

What I’m saying is that I wouldn’t be surprised if most people who know me don’t know me very well.

It’s not like I have anything to hide; I really do enjoy getting to know people. I’ll be a friend to anyone who needs one, and anyone who’s willing to listen to me think too much can be my friend, but if I don’t know you well, honestly, I’m probably not the easiest person to talk to. Or, you know, anywhere close. So, if you’re trying to figure me out, I really don’t know how you would start.

Hm...That’s a toughie. Lemme help.

I like explaining things (see the above paragraphs, which explain in detail things you already knew) so, I’m thinking, why not explain...me? I’m qualified, right? What if I wrote a kind of guide, a series of posts to explain how I think, and published it as a reference, so anyone who wants to know more about me can pry it from the jaws of the proverbial equine? (Lesson number one: I sometimes say things like: “pry it from the jaws of the proverbial equine” and don’t even apologize.)

So, here ya go. If you ever took a look at me and thought “What’s up with that guy?”, you’ve come to the right place.

Phwew! Long intro. I do that.

Anyway, what to start with?

Full name: Andrew Alexander Bagenstos.

Eyes: Hazel. (It’s greenish brown)

Height: 5”11 (and every bit of that three quarters!)

Weight: Classified. Ok, fine. 204 lbs, last I checked.

Occupation: All-purpose employee (APE) at Olive garden

Favorite food: Chicken Scampi

Least favorite food: Breakfast in general

Favorite sport: Billiards

Good name for a cat: Thadeus Mcgrew

...Bah. That stuff’s no fun. You can’t boil a person down to a list of facts. Well, I can’t, and if I can’t it must be really hard, because let’s face it: I’m like, really smart.

Ooh! Let’s talk about that!

Part 1: 

Potential

I’m a pretty intelligent individual...Or I think I am. (Likely both, I’d say.) But here’s the thing: I’m really insecure about it.

 I absolutely hate the idea that someone is smarter than me.

   Seriously, just try walking up to me, gesturing to a random passer-by and saying “That guy is WAY smarter than you!” Then, just watch me squirm with internal struggle. Of course, I’ll spit out some quasi-humble garbage: “It’s entirely possible.” or act like I’m kidding when I say “Then he must be REALLY smart!” While inside, the internal dialogue is deafening:

   “Why doesn’t anyone know how smart I am?”

   “You’re so arrogant. Maybe because you work at olive garden. Maybe because you’re not that smart.”

   “I don’t work at olive garden because I’m stupid. I’m just...lazy.”

  “Yeeeeah, that’s intelligent. Come to think of it, it’s probably because every time you speak, you sound like an idiot.”

  “Oh, yeah.”

(Disclaimer: Any part of this post which might make me appear to be...well, actually unstable is likely intended to be humorous, or for the ease of illustration. I’m perfectly stable. Really.)

  Now, to be clear, it’s as obvious to me as it is to you that there are plenty of people in this world smarter than Andrew Bagenstos. I know that. I hate it, but I know it. There are people who can do math in their heads faster than a calculator, people with eidetic memories who never forget anything they see or hear, people who can create rhyming phrases while speaking them, people who have--gasp!--actually contributed to society with their intellect.  So, why is it so important to me to be smarter than everyone else? Maybe it isn’t. Maybe I just want to be smarter than me.

I don’t know if everyone feels this way, but I am perpetually frustrated by my limits. I doubt them, I loathe them, I fear them, and I believe that fear created them.

I really believe that I am, somewhere deep inside, a genius. Somehow I think that if I could only learn to focus, to circumnavigate mental blocks and reach my true potential, I could do those things.   

If I could just...stop...being...afraid.

Potential.

I hate that word. I don’t want to have potential. I can’t stand it knowing that I’m sitting on the power to change the world, and doing nothing with it. And I can’t stand that I can stand it. Despite knowing for years about that blasted potential I was cursed with, I can still ignore any course of action. I can still procrastinate. I can still waste my gifts trying to get attention. I can still. Do. Nothing.

I wish I could could be happy with me. I wish I didn’t know better.

I wish I didn’t know better than to wish I didn’t know better.

If you don’t consider yourself a genius, consider yourself lucky.

...But I am doing something, aren’t I? I’m writing this blog. I’m actually using my gift for writing and expression. I’m actually creating something. That’s why I’m sitting here at a quarter to 4am typing away. That’s why this blog is so important to me. Thank you very much for reading this far.

Well, this has been...different. It appears I’ve ditched my usual soapbox for a confessional. Let’s call it a night. I hope you learned something about me. I mean, that was kinda the point, after all.

Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m quite finished with this ‘talking about me’ thing. Seems like it might have its own little section. People write whole blogs about themselves you know; it won’t be that bad.

I'm doing this, partly because I wish everyone else would.

Especially girls. Yeah, I just don't even know.

Gratuitous disclaimer: Oh, and I wasn't bragging about my gifts and genius and potential. If you don't feel the same way, it's because you're either unaware of your own gifts, or you're actually doing something about them.