Scientist: Evolution debate will soon be history

[n2doc]

By FRANK ELTMAN, Associated Press

Richard Leakey predicts skepticism over evolution will soon be history.

Not that the avowed atheist has any doubts himself.

Sometime in the next 15 to 30 years, the Kenyan-born paleoanthropologist expects scientific discoveries will have accelerated to the point that "even the skeptics can accept it."

"If you get to the stage where you can persuade people on the evidence, that it's solid, that we are all African, that color is superficial, that stages of development of culture are all interactive," Leakey says, "then I think we have a chance of a world that will respond better to global challenges."

...

"If you look back, the thing that strikes you, if you've got any sensitivity, is that extinction is the most common phenomena," Leakey says. "Extinction is always driven by environmental change. Environmental change is always driven by climate change. Man accelerated, if not created, planet change phenomena; I think we have to recognize that the future is by no means a very rosy one."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/05/26/national/a082942D52.DTL

[drm604]

1. I wish I could be more optimistic about human nature than he is.

We're already at the stage where the evidence is persuasive. Certain people just refuse to be swayed by, or even consider, the evidence.

[intaglio]

2. Also posted by Zorro in good reads (link)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101629633

[ladywnch]

3. unfortunately, Leakey still thinks indisputable facts/proof mean anything to these 'skeptics'

he is wrong. There is NOTHING that will cause these pinheads to accept evolution or anything else founded in science.

[laconicsax]

4. The debate already IS history.

There's no "debate" over evolution by natural selection. The only people who deny it are ignorant and/or insane.

[lastlib]

5. The fundies lost, but they can't bring themselves to admit it.

It'd cost 'em too many $$$.

[Shankapotomus]

6. With all due respect, Dr. Leakey,

you have grossly underestimated the stupidity of the American Religious Right.

[Ganja Ninja]

7. And the Birthers will all go away by election time.

I think Professor Leakey need to examine the skulls of America's right wing a little more closely and check the thickness in particular.