It is entirely appropriate that David Attenborough commences a BBC series devoted to Darwin's 'Tree of Life' today (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7863517.stm) and has reiterated his views on the undesirability of offering creationism as an alternative to evolution in science lessons. It is now 200 years since Darwin was born on the 12th of February 1809 and the concept of evolution has had an immense impact on our understanding of biology (although reportedly without convincing a majority of the general population). It is now generally appreciated with the development of modern genetic techniques that the 'Tree of Life' is a bit more complex than was appreciated by Darwin. Although admitting the central importance of Darwin, it is a little sad that our 'local' co-discoverer, Alfred Russel Wallace (http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/collections-at-the-museum/wallace-collection/index.jsp), who was much younger but had none of the financial and social connection advantages of his co-discoverer seems to have been largely ignored (he did, in the programme, get his usual 'honorable mention' for 'stimulating Darwin into publication but that doesn't seem to do justice to his contributions that were over a very extended period) in the bicentenary celebrations. I doubt that we will have another bicentenary in 2023!
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Sunday 1 February 2009
The Evolution of Evolution
It is entirely appropriate that David Attenborough commences a BBC series devoted to Darwin's 'Tree of Life' today (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7863517.stm) and has reiterated his views on the undesirability of offering creationism as an alternative to evolution in science lessons. It is now 200 years since Darwin was born on the 12th of February 1809 and the concept of evolution has had an immense impact on our understanding of biology (although reportedly without convincing a majority of the general population). It is now generally appreciated with the development of modern genetic techniques that the 'Tree of Life' is a bit more complex than was appreciated by Darwin. Although admitting the central importance of Darwin, it is a little sad that our 'local' co-discoverer, Alfred Russel Wallace (http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/collections-at-the-museum/wallace-collection/index.jsp), who was much younger but had none of the financial and social connection advantages of his co-discoverer seems to have been largely ignored (he did, in the programme, get his usual 'honorable mention' for 'stimulating Darwin into publication but that doesn't seem to do justice to his contributions that were over a very extended period) in the bicentenary celebrations. I doubt that we will have another bicentenary in 2023!
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What's In a Critter's Name? 11. Comma butterfly
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