Best Evidence For Evolution

[Something completely different]

I dont have something like a "best evidence" or something.

Evolutionary biology also doesnt play that much of a big role in why I am an atheist. Probably because here, no one relly doubts evolution and those who do are generaly seen as weirdos.

I read through it to learn and to understand it and not to prove something or disprove something.

[Cyberman]

I do take your point, popeyespappy, and maybe I should have chosen my words with greater care. I was alluding to the idea of evolution being less a one shot, all or nothing deal so beloved of binary-brained creationists and more a whole interwoven scientific discipline with multiple confirming evidences (if that's even a word). The DNA example is indeed a beautiful one and hard to top.

[DeistPaladin]

In your opinion, what its the most convincing piece of evidence supporting the theory of evolution?

If by this question you're looking for something that would best convince your average Christian, I have one word: dogs.

Dogs were bred from wolves, thereby creating a whole new species. The process is artificial selection but the same principles apply. We breed all manner of dogs that would not survive in the wild much less be produced in nature, thereby proving that new types of life can be created by manipulating the environment.

The only thing that makes natural selection different is the length of time.

[killybob]

The best example of evolution is the recurrent laryngeal nerve in the Giraffe.

There is no way that could be the result of intelligent design.

The reason that the RLN is such a good example is not JUST that it's about 15 feet longer than it needs to be in giraffes, which would indeed be a truly stupid design, but it's also the fact that it would make perfect sense when evolution is applied to the situation. The RLN goes from the brain, to the larynx, then loops downwards under the aortic arch, and back all the way up into the brain. The length is excessive not only in giraffes, but actually in all species that have necks and are descended from ocean dwelling fish-like creatures. When the fish evolved the nerve, it went directly from the brain, to larynx, and then straight back to the brain. It just happened to develop underneath the aortic arch, instead of over it which, at that time, would have required a small detour. Of course, as the fish moved onto land and developed necks, the nerve was stretched out to what it is today in all land animals.
The RLN shows, most elegantly, how evolution is a FAR better explanation than: "God dunnit!"

[Minimalist]

O Ok, Mister Sir Minimalist. So you think an article on the internet written by people who want evolution to be "true" is enough evidence while the Good Book from our Lord is not true? Give me a break Mister Sir.

Yes, dickhead. I think multiple lines of evidence is far superior to a book of horseshit written by ignorant goat herders to impress ignorant fuckers like you and the rest of the morons who believe in invsible sky-daddies.

But thanks for again providing an opportunity to say so.

***DeistPaladin edited to fix quote box***

[RonaldReagansGhost666]

In your opinion, what its the most convincing piece of evidence supporting the theory of evolution?

If you're looking for a single magic bullet checkmate type of thing, I fear you'll be disappointed; however, you might want to start with the well-known species of Flavobacterium with an appetite for Nylon - a man-made substance that didn't exist before 1935.

That wiki article details the basics, but I encourage you to browse the references for further details. Also, in the spirit of pre-emptive retaliation and because I'm angling for a shiny "Mister Sir Stimbo" of my very own, check out this TalkOrigins article on the wannabe refutations.

I've heard about that many times before.
It's very interesting.

[RonaldReagansGhost666]

Thank you, guys. I was already quite knowledgeable on many of your mentioned arguments, but it was kind of you to reply.

[Angrboda]

I don't know that DNA in and of itself is a clincher for evolution, as its existence is consistent with special creation. If you expand the scope to include aspects of molecular genetics such as conserved errors and duplications, it becomes stronger evidence (TalkOrigins: ). For me, one of the most compelling pieces of evidence is that cladistic trees derived from morphology align almost perfectly with trees derived from molecular genetics.

[justin]

Several good examples have been listed already. Min pointed out all the lines of evidence support evolution. In fact nothing about living organisms is inconsistent with evolution. As far specific examples go Zen’s laryngeal nerve is one of my favorites. But I’ll have to disagree with Stimbo on magic bullets because Kayenneh’s DNA is exactly that. I like endogenous retrovirus insertions in our DNA in particular. The distribution of ERVs among species is pretty much a smoking gun that proves humans share a common ancestor with other organisms on this planet.

Hey do you have any links or books you could recommend on the ERV distribution among species? I have a philosophy paper on creation vs evolution and i'm trying to decide what evidence for evolution i want to use. I would love to read more on these ERVs.

[Ethan1581]

Bacterial evolution or natural selection