Do we need a new theory of evolution?

theguardian.com

2 pointstablespoon2 comments

Long, involving story of the evolution of Darwin's ideas (and revisions needed to account for 1-1/2 centuries of evidence). Ideal for those of us who don't know enough to have a stake in the outcome of today's 'culture war' ... or whether a 'grand theory' is even needed.

For one thing, it starts midway through the story, taking for granted the existence of light-sensitive cells, lenses and irises, without explaining where they came from in the first place.

Couldn't read too far, because it started sounding like quasi-religious intelligent design conspiracy schlock. This statement is completely untrue, and is the #1 line parroted by intelligent design proponents. The eye is incredibly simplistic. It's one of the most simple of all the organs. The brain's visual cortex is complex, but the eye itself is so simple as to not even warrant any doubt. Its evolution is well-studied from the most basic light-sensing organs all the way up to the best modern eyes.

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