The Definition and Description of a "Transitional"

There may be a lot of definitions from those who don't understand the field. That doesn't mean that they are meaningful.The "getting better" one is a very common misconception. However, if you just look at what evolution is and how it operates it is clear that isn't possible. It is obviously wrong when you understand how evolution works.Everything "starting" with the big bang doesn't mean that the truth or falsity of the evolutionary process depends in any way on the idea of the big bang. If the big bang idea is totally wrong and the steady state theory, or devine creation or anything else is right then evolution of life on earth, separated from the origin of the universe by almost 10 billion years is just the same.If you don't know who to believe, why don't you reason it out for yourself. Both the idea of "getting better" and the connectin between the big bang and evolution can be worked out for yourself. You don't have to refer to what anyone says.

As noted the older samples are outside of the range of current measurements (certainly with respect to overall body sizes).But for fun let's say that you're right. There is and has always been a range of features, cranium volumes and more that overlap with the current human range. So everyone of these specimens can be fitted in that normal range. Just pretending here, right?Now then, explain a couple of things:How come only those that are on a very extreme end of this hypothetical range are the ones perserved?andHow come when they are laid out in time various features are closer to the current norms when they are nearer in time and further from those norms when they are further away in time? (With some variance since I don't see that any feature would constantly and smoothly approach the current state)?When you are hypothosizing you must include all the facts.

Because of the geological strata they are associated with. If you disagree with that approach perhaps you need to find the "fossil sorting" thread.After the relative ages are determined then the associated strata can, in most cases, be used for absolute dating. If you disagree with that you could work on the "Correlations" thread in dating.This message has been edited by NosyNed, 12-16-2004 01:44 PM