The whole Bill Nye/Ken Ham debate

[EgoRaptor]

If we don't debate them then they can say that we are afraid & know we won't win. This debate will probably change at least one mind in favor of science & that is a success to me.

[MindForgedManacle]

The problem is that even though Nye will certainly have support from all the relevant facts, Ham can bring in "facts" and arguments from ignorance to play to the common person's preconceived assumptions. And expect Gish Gallops a-plenty. Oh God, I can't bear to think about it...


In other news, the physicist/theoretical cosmologist Sean Carroll (met him before; nice guy) is going to be debating William Lane Craig. And given Carroll is also knowledgeable of philosophy and philosophy of time might give him an edge. And he's just more likeable, so I hope he does well. If it was in a discussion format (which Craig despises), it might be more enjoyable...

[Faith No More]

I'm wondering why he agreed to hold the debate at the Creation Museum.

Creationists aren't exactly known for impartiality.

[BrokenQuill92]

I don't know if this is the best idea

[bennyboy]

I'm wondering why he agreed to hold the debate at the Creation Museum.

Creationists aren't exactly known for impartiality.

Pearls before swine?

[Cyberman]

Update:

Bill Nye Explains Why He’s Debating Evolution: Creationism ‘Frightens’ Me.

“I don’t think I’m going to win Mr. Ham over any more than Mr. Ham thinks he’s going to win me over,” Nye said this week. “Instead, I want to show people that this belief is still among us. It finds its way onto school boards in the United States.”

He said the push to include creationism in science classes across the country does “frighten” him, calling it a “deep concern.” He added, “If the United States produces a generation of science students who don’t believe in science, that is troublesome.”

[Clueless Morgan]

Bill Nye is no doubt used to playing an audience, but Ham has more practice at this sort of thing.

You know, I think this might be a very good point: Even given all the downsides, drawbacks and negatives this debate may come with, including the fact that Nye doesn't have a lot of experience debating, I kind of think that if he approaches presenting the facts of evolution in a similar way that he approached teaching science on his show, he might be a very good candidate for presenting this evidence to people who otherwise might not have a lot of scientific knowledge. Yes, there is a major problem with dogmatism and bull-headed denial in the face of faith, but the fact remains that anyone at this debate that is even a little scientifically minded but simply lacked the conviction to go read the material and make up their own minds might be spurred into action by Nye's style and presentation.

This is entirely hinging on whether Nye is prepping for this debate and his own attitude about how to present the material. I'm not suggesting that he panders and patronizes the audience, but his ability to explain things in a very open and approachable manner while making the subject fun and interesting might be able to break through to some people in the audience.

Maybe.

Here's hoping.

In other news, the physicist/theoretical cosmologist Sean Carroll (met him before; nice guy) is going to be debating William Lane Craig. And given Carroll is also knowledgeable of philosophy and philosophy of time might give him an edge. And he's just more likeable, so I hope he does well. If it was in a discussion format (which Craig despises), it might be more enjoyable...

I haven't heard or Sean Carroll; I'll have to look him up. Thanks for the info. Do you know when this debate will be taking place?