Electrolite: And now, the theory of "stupid design"

June 10, 2002

And now, the theory of “stupid design” It’s the shortest posts that provoke the longest discussions. My three-line agreement with Avram Grumer has set off a comment-board discussion of the politics and metaphysics of “intelligent design theory” that’s up to 35 messages, with some interesting writing from all sides. Fans of Teresa’s writing might want to note that she weighs in with a long and chewy post in the thread. [08:16 PM]

Welcome to Electrolite's comments section.
Hard-Hitting Moderator: Teresa Nielsen Hayden.

Comments on And now, the theory of "stupid design":

John Farrell ::: (view all by) ::: June 11, 2002, 05:05 PM:

I'm posting my admiration for Teresa's thread here, and my suggestion that one more potential "designer" be added to your list, Teresa (in deference to Monty Python fans): a giant blancmange from the planet Skyron in the Galaxy of Andromeda...

Best,

John F

Daryl McCullough ::: (view all by) ::: June 11, 2002, 05:28 PM:

I've never understood the religious reasons for rejecting evolution. We know enough about genetics and mutation and natural selection to know that evolution is a *plausible* explanation for the development of complex life forms. If God didn't take advantage of this mechanism, it makes him look incompetent, rather than superintelligent.

Supposedly, He's the one who created the atoms and the stars and set them into motion. He is the one who made the laws of physics what they are. But then it turns out that He has to monkey around with those laws in order for the world to turn out the way He wanted. That seems like poor planning, if you ask me.

If the natural laws didn't lead to intelligent life, then God has nobody to blame for that failure but Himself.

Steve ::: (view all by) ::: June 11, 2002, 07:54 PM:

It's not a general "religious" reason; as that thread notes, there are plenty of religious people who accept evolution, whether or not they view it as a tool used by God to create human life. It's specifically a Biblical literalist reason; if you accept the Bible as the literal, no-doubt-about-it, 100% true word of God, from Noah and the floody-floody to the death and resurrection of Christ to the eventual rise of the Antichrist and the Millenium, then you're kind of stuck saying that God created the world in six days and then invented the Sabbath as stated.