Brad. This was a lengthy post you posited, so I done you your earning, and payed you your wages. I.e. I digested it all.
I don't understand all of the post, because of my lack of knowledge. I can only make guesses, to make a workable abstract in my own mind, without having to learn all the words and names.
It struck me that your post was very interesting.
The quotes from Malthus, about nature providing life but not space, I would have thought indicated that infact there is either a contradiction in nature, which makes it seem like there is no plan, from looking at it. But look deeper and it seems that that could be the plan afterall, afterall, would God want planets full of worms, or do worms serve their purpose in their designated space? Which leads me to think about our exchanges pertaining to
behaviour. I think at one time I even suggested that a niche is infact a designated place. Which give me a brainstorm.
What if actual evolution is infact animals wandering from their behaviour, and going against the designated food-chain scenario?.
I also know what you mean (somewhat) about the observabal confusion over change.
As it stands, you seem to have a disgruntlement with the way new ideas are buffeted in favour of the preservation of absolutes. Unfortunately, people are prone to do this in all areas of life, or atleast, those that come to protect the grail. The problem is when you have politicians make rules for things like science. And you don't know whether the man who kicks you out, is a closet-politician.
My suggestion; I will read your posts because I infact know you know what you are saying, but I might not come to know so much. It's fair enough though, just don't spend to much effort on this semi-intellectual fool-of-thought.
(My computer restarted when I was reading yur post)/
This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 11-19-2005 12:27 PM