SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : Evolution
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Brumar89 who wrote (1539)2/23/2007 9:45:27 PM
From: TigerPaw  Read Replies (1) of 69300
 
The fossil record had caused Darwin more grief than joy.

Darwin was unaware that the continents of Earth had broken up, moved, rejoined, and broken up again. He therefore did not have an explanation for why some fundamental characteristics of fossil species were so universal in some cases, but vastly different in others. Now we know that when the continents were joined that a smaller number of species out competed the rest and formed great families of similar species (especially land species which were the bulk of what Darwin could study). Then the continents broke up and the isolated groups changed in different ways. Then the continents reformed in a unified mass and certain groups again out competed others making for a more uniform pattern only to again have the great super-continent break up and isolate different groups on different floating landmasses.

This doesn't even cover the great extinction events from comets or asteroids.

Darwin assumed that the Earth was a much more stable place than it turned out to be, and he therefore assumed that the fossil record would have fewer fits and starts and blends than it really has. Modern studies have shown that the great changes in fossils do correspond to great changes in their environment.

TP
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News