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August 28, 2005

Intelligent Design's Flawed Methodology

First you misuse or misdescribe some scientist's work. Then you get an angry rebuttal. Then, instead of dealing forthrightly with the charges leveled, you cite the rebuttal as evidence that there is a 'controversy' to teach.

Note that the trick is content-free. You can use it on any topic. 'Smith's work in geology supports my argument that the earth is flat,' you say, misrepresenting Smith's work. When Smith responds with a denunciation of your misuse of her work, you respond, saying something like: 'See what a controversy we have here? Professor Smith and I are locked in a titanic scientific debate. We should teach the controversy in the classrooms'.

The Creator / Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

By the way, I believe that the universe was created by a colossal, multi-tentacled pan-dimensional (it would be, since it invented them) anteater-like entity with magenta fur (click on the thumbnail above for the full impact). Is that kinda what the IDers had in mind?