4th Grade Quiz in SC

[PhillyB]

I posted a funny response to the hybrid transitional fossil argmuent and I don't think anyone clicked on it

That makes me a sad Pandahorse :(

pandahorse sounds like an awesome name for an indie band

[Guest]

Also isnt saying organism evolve but the rate of carbon decay remains constant a little hypocritical?

No, not even a little.

[pstall]

what shall the black swan be when it comes to evolutinary outcomes? hmm

and don't say bird flu.

[PhillyB]

i dont get it

[pstall]

not the movie btw

Black swan theory

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A black swan, a member of the species Cygnus atratus

The black swan theory or theory of black swan events is a metaphor that describes an event that is a surprise (to the observer), has a major effect, and after the fact is often inappropriately rationalized with the benefit of hindsight.

The theory was developed by Nassim Nicholas Taleb to explain:

1. The disproportionate role of high-profile, hard-to-predict, and rare events that are beyond the realm of normal expectations in history, science, finance, and technology
   
2. The non-computability of the probability of the consequential rare events using scientific methods (owing to the very nature of small probabilities)
   
3. The psychological biases that make people individually and collectively blind to uncertainty and unaware of the massive role of the rare event in historical affairs
   

[pstall]

many quys who are quantitative analysts have created programs with very precise algorithims. the programs have gotten so smart they use lagging indicators to have a predictive mechanism.

but outside of financial markets where human behavior is rational and irrational, at a predictive rate due to herd mentality etc.

i mention black swan here because there doesn't seem to be lagging indicators. its a reactive process which makes the black swan theory interesting.

[thatlookseasy]

what about a crocodile's front feet?

A bit different because crocodiles arent mammals (and reptiles branched off quite a while back). But from a quick glance it seems similar, same 5 finger setup with tarsals and metatarsals

[Chimera]

A bit different because crocodiles arent mammals (and reptiles branched off quite a while back). But from a quick glance it seems similar, same 5 finger setup with tarsals and metatarsals

I know they aren't mammals and that was kinda the point. I knew a croc had 18 digits but I wasn't so sure about other non-mammals, so I went with the croc.

A better example would have probably been that every mammal has 7 vertebrae in their necks - yes, even the giraffe.

Not every mammal has 5 digits, either. But I guess you'd have to eat pig's feet to know that.

[Happy Panther]

Snopes has changed this to "Undetermined"

[Jase]

Snopes changed their mind on something? Guess they aren't infallible, after all.

[thatlookseasy]

many quys who are quantitative analysts have created programs with very precise algorithims. the programs have gotten so smart they use lagging indicators to have a predictive mechanism.

but outside of financial markets where human behavior is rational and irrational, at a predictive rate due to herd mentality etc.

i mention black swan here because there doesn't seem to be lagging indicators. its a reactive process which makes the black swan theory interesting.

Interesting theory, I think people do this with sports a lot, whether its looking back and thinking, "well of course they won the championship, they were the best team" or even the idea that a player would have been just as successful being drafted by another team

Not really sure why you're bringing it up in this thread though. I think there are some key events that people dont think about- like the mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. That cleared the way for small rodents to spread and evolve into all the distinct varieties of mammals we see today

[pstall]

The reason I put it here is its relevant. From evolution or big bang or creationism. There are landmark moments that are concurrent with the time in whic they are brought but down the road, either a black swan or more info can offset or at least alter a previous landmark.

In fact the post from happy saying snopes now says this is undeterminded etc backs this up.

Confirmation bias isn't reserved for the young earth crowd. It can apply to us all.

[Cat]

My parents pulled me out of public school in the middle of 8th grade and sent me to a shitty ass church school for the rest of 8th grade. They actually spanked a girl because she asked too many questions in science and bible class. This test was as right up their alley.

[Cat]

For those who don't think it's important.

 

Creationism in Louisiana School Systems

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/01/louisiana-cost-teaching-creationism

 

 

 

"With the New Orleans Medical Corridor poised for tremendous growth, this law also profoundly impacts our ability to fill jobs in the cutting-edge science fields with students educated in our state's public schools."

 

Peter Kulakowsky, a biotech entrepreneur in Louisiana, recently published a letter in the New Orleans Times-Picayune, saying that:

"As the director of a biological laboratory in Louisiana, I need enlightened staff. Distracting the state's students in their formative training [through the Louisiana Science Education Act] only cripples them."