Neil Shubin: Great Transitions in Evolution

[leo-rcc]

[youtube]JZxRHbX1dm4[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZxRHbX1dm4

Much thanks to the University of California for releasing this video, along with many others featured on uctelevision channel:
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Distributed under the following Creative Commons license:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

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Neil Shubin, Associate Dean of the Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago describes how his diverse fossil findings allow him to devise hypotheses on how anatomical transformations occurred by way of genetic and morphogenetic processes. Series: UC Berkeley Graduate Council Lectures [5/2009] [Science] [Show ID: 16420]

[g-mark]

I was expecting something outstanding. I sat down with my pen and paper ready to write. This information is just an addition to the current understanding. It is nothing new, it is just a re-affirmation.

Our brains have many different parts associated with the evolution of the species from other animals. For instance, there is now evidence that these hippocampal-like (hippocampus) structures in mammals are also involved in spatial cognition in birds, reptiles, and fish. As we have ourselves evolved through many different animals, it only makes sense that the physical links are in the fossils somewhere.

As we are all the same and have evolved from the same thing, I fail to see how the money spent on these projects can be justified. Even if they find every species that ever was, there are always going to be those who disagree.

I was expecting much more.

[leo-rcc]

Let me get this straight: You think the discovery of Tiktaalik, one of the most definitive transitional species between fish and theropods, is not worth it?

[g-mark]

Does the journey really matter. We started as a single celled organism and we are now complex beings. We are here, we do exist. For me, that is enough evidence. Also, the many fossils found already are overwhelming proof of evolution.

Will finding every missing link accomplish anything constructive? The money could be spent on other overwhelming problems.

[leo-rcc]

Ah, so if the evidence is sufficient for you, it should be sufficient for everyone?

Will finding every missing link accomplish anything constructive?

I wish we were able to find more transitional species, that would for a start stop people like you from talking about a missing link. As it stands our fossil records are extensive but far from complete. Substantiating the transitions makes to picture more complete, which is of more importance than you give credit for. Specially Tiktaalik was of importance, why? Because Shubin had correctly anticipated where to look, how far down to look, and what the species should resemble before actually finding it. That is very strong evidence in favour of Evolution through Natural selection than even Archaeopteryx.

[g-mark]

So what he found wasn't a missing link?

What are people like me?

[leo-rcc]

So what he found wasn't a missing link?

No it is a transitional species. Missing links are what creationists refer to as the species from species A to C, but Evolution doesn work that way. Like the Crockoduck.

What are people like me?

Ignorant on terminology.

[g-mark]

Ok. I will now use the term 'transitional species'. Problem solved.

[Kyuuketsuki]

I wish we were able to find more transitional species, that would for a start stop people like you from talking about a missing link.

Nah, it won't ... even if you find "the species in between" some moron will always be looking at the two new gaps and demanding they are explained.

Kyu

[g-mark]

The Angry Atheist strikes again. Ka pow. LOL