More ancient than the dinosaurs

Hi Dan:

Absolutely no offence was taken as I did not take it personally. I responded to the methodology you used. I have great respect for your intent and so don't want to give you offence either and I don't want to knock back your olive branch... really! :)

What concerns me far more than an honest debate on scientific conclusions is the proliferation of material on popular social media that has no factual basis whatsoever, those so called "alternative facts". That, and the muzzling of science that is occurring more often is when we return to the dark ages.

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Originally Posted by Tronhard

What concerns me far more than an honest debate on scientific conclusions is the proliferation of material on popular social media that has no factual basis whatsoever, those so called "alternative facts". That, and the muzzling of science that is occurring more often is when we return to the dark ages.

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I fully support this. The only quibble I have with Dan's responses is the word 'theory'. Unfortunately the way that scientists use it is at variance with popular usage. To a scientist, a theory is the best possible explanation for something. To a non-scientist it often means just an notion or idea. A scientific theory is based on testable hypotheses. If one of these hypotheses is proved to be false, then the theory falls.

John

Thanks for the pictures Trev.
I'll have to stop in at the Reptile House next time I'm at the San Diego Zoo to see if they have a sample there.

You are in luck, save flying to New Zealand.

http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/tuatara

Good commentary too from the Zoo. AND I learned the real function of that third eye... glad I said "probably" :rolleyes:

Mind you the flight to NZ is STILL worth the investment! :)

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Originally Posted by Ken MT

You are in luck, save flying to New Zealand.

http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/tuatara

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