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It may even go further. Small pockets of the scientific world are investigating whether higher vertebrates also have the capacity to genetically transfer developed characteristics to offspring:Quote:
Originally Posted by houseisland
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/science/ock...ies/s14075.htm
What do you mean 'small pockets' I thought this was established theory ?
We are all generally getting taller, not because we have better diet etc (though this contributes) but because women generally prefer taller men because they think ... (well we know what they think, but apparently that's a complete old wives tale & height has no relation whatsoever to .. well you know that too ! :D)
The established theory is the reverse - that an individual cannot genetically transmit any characteristic acquired during their (or its) lifetime. The characteristics they inherited by the genetic combination of their parents either enhanced or detracted from their efectiveness as a survivor and an offspring producer (for whatever reason, including appeal to the opposite gender :) ) so were selected in or out (emphasised or diminished).Quote:
Originally Posted by confus-ed
The Lamarck theory suggests characteristics developed within an organism in response to environment may be able to be passed directly to offspring by modification to genetic encoding. This has been strongly resisted by the scientific establishment. The Australian researcher (linked) who has been one of the strongest proponents of the possibility was hounded out of Britain & rendered almost unemployable about 25 years ago when he presented his early research.
Has anyone read any Richard Dawkins, i.e. the Selfish Gene? He has some rather elegant explanations for "evolution", of which I particularly like the idea of life being a DNA survival mechanism. :)
I liked Douglas Adams' explanation better... :DQuote:
Originally Posted by El_Squid
I'm just scared they will nail me to a tree, or take away my digital watch... :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Platypus
On the sites front page today via Slashdot:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4648598.stm
Quote:
Originally Posted by houseisland
It's probably also worth noting, that in th last official census, something like 10% of folks registered their official religion as Jedi Knight !
& I'd imagine much of the 40% who seem to believe in 'intelligent creation' (according to that link) have been reading too many sci-fi books or watching too much Doctor Who/Starwars ! ... 'little green men' (not a God) is quite a popular tounge-in-cheek reason for explaining a few of the holes in evolutionary theory .. :D
Whatever floats yer boat. If little green men (or Jedis, or Dyanetics) satisfy yer need for a belief system, then more power to ya. After all, the much maligned and abused Evolutionary Theory is still a theory, not a fact, nor axiom, nor law. It is a best guess, with the available evidence and current perspective. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by confus-ed
Ola Señor Calamar.Quote:
Originally Posted by El_Squid
Do you know something that I don't?
It sure has been raining a lot here. Lots of flooding.
http://i1.tinypic.com/n1xklk.jpg
Synopsis
"As the ark drifts endlessly, Noah and his family must fight off a giant squid along with the increasing madness and mental exhaustion that rapidly spread on board." Love the zeugma here, by the way.
https://forums.windrivers.com/
Anyway given today's rampant secular humanism and greed, the event, were it to come to pass again, would probably be co-opted into something like this:
http://i1.tinypic.com/n1xhc3.gif
Here Squid, Squid, Squid.......
http://files1.turbosquid.com/Preview...3.jpgLarge.jpg
TurboSquid
No Squids rise to the bait. Most disappointing.
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http://forums.windrivers.com/images/.../2010/07/1.jpg
It is my pure and virtuous heart that
gives me the strength of ten!
Ola Señor CasaIsla.Quote:
Originally Posted by houseisland
It is my loss to have missed your rather enticing post, as I was on a rare and much enjoyed vacation. Went nowhere, did nothing. :)
Used my PC only for gaming purposes, CoH and Civ 4 mostly. At any rate, I wanted to ask if the giant squid was also rapidly spreading, or if the zeugma limited itself to the battling part only. I imagine after defeating the squid of unusual size, that there was goo all over the place. :p
Ola Señor Calamar.Quote:
Originally Posted by El_Squid
Missed you. :sad:
The "Went nowhere, did nothing" nothing vacations are often the best IMHO. :)
Good question. I believe the zeugma is limited to the "fighting off." However, I do like your interpretation better than that provided by a mere stylistic analysis.Quote:
Originally Posted by El_Squid
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http://forums.windrivers.com/images/.../2010/07/1.jpg
It is my pure and virtuous heart that
gives me the strength of ten!
At the risk of being accused of trying to stay on the original topic, why is not possible for an omniscient, omnipotent "Creator"-type being to set into motion this much bally-hooed evolutionary process. I mean, does God literally have to grub around in the mud and sculpt beings from clay? If God was clever enough to figure out how to balance the whole matter-energy-gravity thing, then evolution is a snap, don't you think? ;) (Doing my best to keep this in Politicos.)