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Author Topic:   Trilobite, Eyewitness to Evolution
Tanypteryx
Member
Posts: 4344
From: Oregon, USA
Joined: 08-27-2006
Member Rating: 5.9


(3)
Message 1 of 25 (826137)
12-22-2017 11:35 PM


I recently read Trilobite, Eyewitness to Evolution by Richard Fortey, 2001. I found it to be a delightful read and I learned all sorts of new things about these fascinating fossil creatures and the worlds they inhabited for 300 million years. Many thousands of species have been described and more are being discovered every year.
Trilobites have played a major role in paleontology and have been used as index fossils correlating the ages of geological layers around the globe.
They range in size from larger than lobsters to only a couple millimeters in length. As would be expected in a group that lasted that long the amount of variation is staggering; all the way from blind to calcium carbonate crystal for lenses in the faceted eyes, from plain and unadorned to covered with all sorts and shapes of spines.
Fortey writes as much about the world they live in as about the trilobites themselves, the other sorts of life they shared the seas with. He uses his own experiences on expeditions of discovery around the world to tell the stories of the fossils and the types and locations of geological formations they are found in today and what those habitats were like when these creatures lived.
He was a contemporary with Gould and Eldredge and describes how Eldredge's study of trilobites led him to the concept of Punctuated Equilibrium. He also explains Gould's errors in Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History in a way I had never understood before.
Fortey tells an engrossing tale and describes the same excitement of discovery that I have experienced and observed in my colleagues in the study of dragonflies.
I can recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting read this winter.

What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty Python
One important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie
If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy
The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by kjsimons, posted 12-23-2017 9:38 AM Tanypteryx has seen this message but not replied
 Message 5 by kjsimons, posted 02-09-2018 3:33 PM Tanypteryx has seen this message but not replied
 Message 25 by Phat, posted 02-18-2018 11:06 AM Tanypteryx has not replied

  
Tanypteryx
Member
Posts: 4344
From: Oregon, USA
Joined: 08-27-2006
Member Rating: 5.9


(3)
Message 9 of 25 (828429)
02-17-2018 4:46 PM
Reply to: Message 6 by AlexCaledin
02-17-2018 1:16 PM


Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit
Thanks for the warning. I will never let you spoil me through your philosophy or your vain deceit. Now piss off.

What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty Python
One important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie
If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy
The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq

This message is a reply to:
 Message 6 by AlexCaledin, posted 02-17-2018 1:16 PM AlexCaledin has not replied

  
Tanypteryx
Member
Posts: 4344
From: Oregon, USA
Joined: 08-27-2006
Member Rating: 5.9


(1)
Message 17 of 25 (828444)
02-17-2018 9:04 PM
Reply to: Message 15 by Faith
02-17-2018 7:59 PM


Re: Bonfire Of The Vanities
No, I'm talking about literally asking God to guide our understanding. In my experience it makes a big difference.
We have seen from your participation here at EvC that your understanding of every single scientific subject you have argued about is not only miniscule, but completely incorrect.
If God is guiding your understanding you should ask for your money back.
I posted this information about a book that I really enjoyed and learned a lot from. If you don't want to read it or don't want to learn anything that's fine, but the subject has nothing to do with your god.

What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty Python
One important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie
If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy
The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq

This message is a reply to:
 Message 15 by Faith, posted 02-17-2018 7:59 PM Faith has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 18 by Faith, posted 02-17-2018 9:39 PM Tanypteryx has not replied

  
Tanypteryx
Member
Posts: 4344
From: Oregon, USA
Joined: 08-27-2006
Member Rating: 5.9


Message 23 of 25 (828452)
02-18-2018 2:05 AM
Reply to: Message 22 by Faith
02-18-2018 12:53 AM


Re: Bonfire Of The Vanities
For instance I think the idea that it could have been millions of years between two different kinds of trilobites is is nonsensical, but it would take more energy to make the case than I want to try to muster right now.
So, like always, you don't read a book on Trilobites, you just spread around a bunch of BS, and, as always, cannot support anything you say with evidence and, as always, you don't have the energy to bother.
Then why don't you piss off, since you don't have the energy to bother? Who gives a shit what you can't be bothered to say? No meaningful argument but you just can't shut up.

What if Eleanor Roosevelt had wings? -- Monty Python
One important characteristic of a theory is that is has survived repeated attempts to falsify it. Contrary to your understanding, all available evidence confirms it. --Subbie
If evolution is shown to be false, it will be at the hands of things that are true, not made up. --percy
The reason that we have the scientific method is because common sense isn't reliable. -- Taq

This message is a reply to:
 Message 22 by Faith, posted 02-18-2018 12:53 AM Faith has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 24 by Faith, posted 02-18-2018 8:38 AM Tanypteryx has not replied

  
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