Re: A stronger will than mine.
Marius Johnston (mariusj@netcom.com)
Fri, 29 Apr 1994 06:33:50 GMT
5121 Student 09 (cm315c09@nova.umd.edu) wrote:
: Let's pretend I am a young, up-and-coming anthropologist, digging
: for fossils in the Rift Valley. I come across something that
: may show that man spent some time in the water.
: Knowing that the entire anthropology communittee will hold me
: in contempt, ridicule me, and label me a quack - what do I do?
: Having received my education in an environment of close-mindedness,
: defensiveness and one-upmanship - would I even be able to overcome
: my preconceptions to recognize the evidence before me?
: Perhaps I would need to keep my ideas well hidden, until I have
: established myself as a notable scientist. After years of not
: upsetting the apple cart, maybe I could risk coming forward with
: anything less than an ape fossil with fins.
: I came to this newsgroup with an open mind. I have learned a
: great deal, but what I am really interested in is some reasonable
: description of human evolution. I can certainly understand why
: no one is willing to put forth their own such description - because
: they will be met not with reasonable discussion, but by passionate
: ridicule.
: I have little faith in any product of such an environment.
A couple of thoughts here.
Sometimes it happens! Read Michael Coe's book on Breaking the Maya Code.
Life and people are somewhat less than perfect and there is a lot to know:-).
Yet the system is fruitful. I think it is right and proper, no, necessary
that new ideas go through the preverbial ringer. As long as there is
the freedom to review with criticism and the freedom to publish, we will all
prosper.
Rather than relying on the net, you might go to the library. Evolution can be
approached from many different angles. For starters you might try Patterns in
Prehistory by Robert Wenke. Although not about evolution per se you might
give The Neandertals- Changing the Image of Mankind by Erik Trinkaus and Pat
Shipman. Not only will you lern something about "man" but the evolution of
ideas.
--
Marius Johnston
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Eusa 5:..in tu the hart uv the stoan hart uv the dans. Evere thing blippin +
movin in the shiftin uv thay Nos. Sum tyms bytin sum tyms bit. Riddley Walker
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