The talk.origins/Evolution Echo Jargon File

Version 1.04 941026

Styled after the Jargon file of Eric S. Raymond and Guy Luc Steele, and also after "The Devil's Dictionary" by Ambrose Bierce, but without the polish and verve seen in those two documents.

To give folks an indication of what the others might be thinking, most words or phrases listed here will have at least two definitions. The approximation to denotation will be listed first, and the approximation to the commonly encountered connotation second or later. I will try to mark denotations and connotations where it may not be obvious as to which is which, along with the group responsible for so defining or misappropriating the term.

If a FAQ is associated with the topic, that will be indicated by a [FAQ] ({FAQ} Available) at the start of the entry.

Names appearing in {} have entries in the Biographica file.

If an entry is one upon which I am particularly shaky, it will be flagged with a "*". While I will gratefully accept and acknowledge additions and corrections for any entry, I will be especially appreciative of those who can give me more detail on asterisked items. Since I am firmly in the science camp, I expect the following glossary to be of more use/consonance to those who are similarly minded. If anyone can explain an entry from the {TAE}/{SciCre} viewpoint that promotes understanding and goodwill without being misleading, I'll be happy to add or amend entries to suit.

If an entry is one that is currently in development, it will be marked with a leading "?". The reader may encounter two entries for the same word or phrase, both marked with "?". This indicates a situation where I haven't decided on which to prefer and keep.

While the debate over secondary education consequences in the USA is very serious, participants should be able to appreciate humor and remember that all the other participants are human as well (at least, no known Loebner Prize contenders frequent either t.o. or the Evolution Echo). A basic enjoyment of keen debate should be at least a secondary motivation for participation in these discussions, so one should be prepared to follow a paraphrase of a common aphorism:

One should not attribute to malice what can be explained by stupidity, AND one should not attribute to stupidity what can be explained by ignorance.

This, then, is intended to be a useful guide for the newcomer to the origins debate, and a semi-humorous diversion for the veteran trooper. Not all (intended to be) humorous entries are marked with emoticons. Without further pontification, here is the stuff.

:Abiogenesis:* (n) [FAQ] 1. The development of life from non-living
systems via natural mechanisms.  [den., science] cf. {creation}.  2.
The early part of {evolution(3)} that the {Second Law of
Thermodynamics(2)} shows is impossible. [conn., {SciCre}] 3.
Spontaneous generation, which Louis Pasteur showed to be impossible.
[conn., {TAE}]

:Ada: (n) 1. Appellative of Augusta, Countess of Lovelace, the
prototypical programmer.  2. Appellative of horribly kludged, defined
by committee, systems programming language that threatens to be as
popular and widely used as COBOL, mainly due to the US armed forces
mandating it for military systems.  Also the object of {Ted Holden}'s
ire when he is not bashing {EMT}s.  The Lady Augusta would be doubly
chagrined.

:Ad hominem argument: (np) [FAQ] 1. An argument which relies upon
denigrating the opponent and then asserting or implying that such an
unworthy arguer could not have a valid argument.  "Gould is a Marxist,
and thus we can ignore {punctuated equilibria}," would be an example
of an ad hominem argument.  Of course, Gould's personal politics have
nothing at all to do with the validity of his arguments concerning
punctuated equilibria.  See {fallacy}.

:Agnostic: (n) 1. Someone who defers belief or non-belief in a god
until the evidence is in.  Usually accompanied by the assertion that
the evidence is not in.

:Allele: (n) 1. One of two or more forms [of a {gene}] that can exist
at a single locus.  [den., from Suzuki et al. 1989] "If one of your
parents has blue eyes and yours are brown, then you have two different
alleles of the eye color gene -- one for blue and one for brown."

:Antarctica: (np) 1. Continental land area about the South Pole that
is completely glaciated. [den., science] 2. A boring place where
nobody interesting ever lived.  [conn., Ted Holden] This is a rare
instance where Ted Holden forwards an opinion which Velikovsky didn't.

:Argument from Authority: (np) 1. An argument of the form "the
proposition X must be true because Y, a recognized authority, says it
is true," as a substitute for actual evaluation of X.  In conjunction
with other {evidence}, the argument can help support a conclusion by
demonstrating that others have come to the same result.  Often
involves quoting the "authority" in a field outside of their actual
field of expertise.  However, when used alone it is unconvincing for
one or more of the following reasons: (a) The reader may not accept
the authority of Y, or may not agree that Y made the statement; "{The
Flood (1)} must have occurred, because God said it did."  (b) Y may
simply be wrong; "Gould said that _Hallucigenia_ is unrelated to any
other taxa."  (c) The person making the argument may be
misinterpreting or misusing Y's work; "Einstein was trying to unify
electromagnetism and gravity, so electromagnetic forces could cause
the Earth to orbit Saturn."  (d) The authority actually is speaking on
a topic well outside his field of expertise.  Example: "William
Shockley says that racial discrimination can be justified on the basis
of intelligence tests."  While Shockley works wonders in semiconductor
technology, his acumen in sociology is not high.  See {fallacy}. 2.
Absolute, incontrovertible evidence for the truth of X, provided Y is
God or the Bible.  [conn., {SciCre}, {TAE}] 3. Absolute,
incontrovertible evidence for the truth of X, provided Y is Krishna or
the Rig-Vedas.  [conn., {Kalki}] 4.  Absolute, incontrovertible
evidence for the truth of X, provided Y is Velikovsky or _Aeon_
magazine.  [conn., Ted Holden]

:Argument from Design: (np) [FAQ] 1. An argument most notably
forwarded by the Reverend Paley which brought us the "watchmaker"
analogy.  At basis, this argues that the complexity and good design
seen in natural systems could only be attributed to a superlative
designer.  Centuries ago, David Hume argued that one can only separate
designed from non-designed entities via experiential comparison and
contrast.  Hence, since we only have one universe, we have no point of
reference to argue that the universe is designed (or not designed).
More recently, {Richard Dawkins} has written an excellent summary of
at least one way in which good design does not imply the existence and
action of a designer.  See {fallacy}.  2. A self-evidently true
proposition which {evolutionists(2)} seem unable to comprehend.
[conn., {TAE}]

:Argument from Ignorance: (np) [FAQ] 1. An argument which arrogates
omniscience to the arguer, who claims that because he or she cannot
postulate a mechanism for a phenomenon that no such mechanism can
exist.  Omniscience is not an attribute of any current or past
participants on talk.origins or the Evolution Echo, so those employing
the AfI are usually met with much skepticism or {flame}s.  See
{fallacy}.

:Argument from Infinite Digression: (np) 1. Style of argumentation
which relies upon endlessly claiming faults on the part of one's
correspondent on irrelevant or non sequitur points, and consistently
refusing to support any claims made.  Calls to support a previously
made point make for new points of digressive departure, especially via
claiming that the correspondent made his statement due to improper
assumptions.  One noted user of this technique was {Darius Lecointe},
whose bizarrely styled digressions gave rise to a quantitative
measure, the milliDarian, which would describe the {Dariosity} of a
post.  The milliDarian scale is sometimes seen applied in responses to
newbie {SciCre} or {TAE} posters.  1000 milliDarians is the standard
Dariosity of the "typical" Darius Lecointe post.

:Argumentum ad Assertion Allopecia: (np) 1. The argument that what one
says is self-evidently, irrefutably true, and therefore one need
provide no supporting evidence.  Often combined with {Argumentum ad
CAPSLOCK}, and/or as the opening shot in a round of {Argument ad
Assertion Repititio ad Nauseum}.

:Argumentum ad Assertion Repetitio ad Nauseam: (np) 1. Argument
premised on the basis that any assertion repeated often enough is,
perforce, true.  This rhetorical mode is a frequent companion of
{Argumentum ad CAPSLOCK}, or denigrations of correspondents. There
exists great variability in the frequency and timing of the
repetitions.

:Argumentum ad CAPSLOCK: (np) 1. The LACING of prose text with
capitalization used as a HIGHLIGHTING method to demonstrate the INNATE
SUPERIORITY of one's own logic over those whose TOUCH-TYPING abilities
are WEAKER.  Also known as "McElwaine-ization" or erroneously as
"Larsonization", after an early post by McElwaine the subject of which
was a physicist named Larson.  See {fallacy}.

:Astronomer: (n) 1. Someone who is happy to get the order of magnitude
correct in the exponent. 2. Someone who often has a pain in the neck
while practicing to become one. [conn.]

:Atheist: (n) 1. One who has no belief in a god.  2. One who believes
that there is no god.  3. An {evilutionist}. [conn., {TAE}] 4. A
keyword which indicates that something is being inappropriately
cross-posted to or from one of the religion groups.

:Apatheist: (n) 1. One who couldn't care less whether there is a god
or not.

:Asexual reproduction: (n) 1. A method of reproduction in which the
genetic material of the new organism(s) is obtained from that of a
single existing organism.  See {sexual reproduction}.

:Bad quotation: (np) 1. A {quotation} which does not follow the
appropriate conventions, either due to lack of attribution or to
editing without appropriate indications (cf. {brackets}, {context},
{ellipses}, {omission}).  If the meaning of the {quotation} is thereby
altered, it is a {misquotation}.

:Balesian inference: (np) 1. Mode of argumentation which relies upon
reference to evidence in a previous post, which in fact was never
posted, or to a future post to appear Real Soon Now, which will, in
fact, never be posted.  At some point, particular claims which were
once claimed to be answered in a soon to be posted message are
thereafter claimed to have been already answered in a past post.  This
technique is named for long time talk.origins participant {Bob Bales}.

:Bird's Eye Frozen Foods Division: (n) 1. Purveyors of frozen
foodstuffs, popular in the continental USA.  [den.]  2. A
world-renowned scientific research laboratory.  [conn., Ted Holden]
See {quick frozen mammoths}.

:Brackets: (n) 1. The typographical symbols "[]", which in a
{quotation} indicate insertions or alterations made by the person
presenting the quote.  All such alterations, even changes in letter
case, should be marked with brackets; failure to do so is a form of
{misquotation}.

:BSA: (acronym) 1. Boy Scouts of America, USA congressionally
chartered youth organization.  [den.] 2. Bible-Science Association,
organization for the promotion of {SciCre} based in Minneapolis.

:Bullfrog: (n) A word which ones speaks when one wishes to embarrass
{Duane Gish}, who has in the past made astonishing claims about the
genetic code of the amphibian in question and its similarity to
genetic codes of other animals, and who has been unable to give a
source for that claim except rumors.  "Chicken lysozyme" has a similar
effect.

:C-decay: (np) [FAQ] 1. The assertion that the speed of light has
undergone a measurable slowing in recorded history, forwarded by
{Barry Setterfield}.  Setterfield further claims that the decay of the
speed of light follows an exponential, such that light speed was
infinite a few thousand years ago.  The {FAQ} deals with the
questionable data handling and analysis which Setterfield had to use
to obtain his pre-ordained results, and the wholesale rejection of
data points which would have lessened the confidence levels which
Setterfield claimed.

:Carbon-14: [also "14C"] (np) 1. Radioactive isotope of carbon used in dating
terrestrial organic material that is younger than the limit of
resolution of the technique, currently about 50KYA.  2. Flawed dating
technique based on uniformitarian BS assumptions [conn., {Ted Holden}]
3. Proof that the world cannot be more than 10,000 years old [conn.,
{SciCre}]

:Catastrophism: (n) 1. The theory that large-scale events
(catastrophes) have been the sole or the major force shaping the
development of Earth and life.  Conventional science recognizes the
role of catastrophes (e.g., the increasingly-accepted "dinosaur
killer" meteor), but does not believe that they have the dominant role
assigned by catastrophists.

:Censorship: (n) 1. The banning from all publication or discussion
certain works or concepts based upon content.  2. Posting corrections
to {SciCre} misinformation.  [conn., {Paul Nanson}, {Andrew Cummins}]
3. Insisting that only science be taught in science classrooms.
[conn., {SciCre}, {TAE}]

:Chance: (n) 1. Quality associated with phenomena studied using
probability and statistical theory. [den.] 2. When modified by the
adjective "pure", descriptive of something which does not occur.
[conn., {SciCre}]

:Cladistics: (n) 1. A system of classification which places emphasis
on specialized or derived characteristics rather than on shared
features.  Also known as "phylogenetic systematics" and "Hennigian
systematics."

:Coalescent Theory:* (np) 1. A method for comparison of gene sequences
in populations to find the most likely common ancestor sequence.

:Conservation of Angular Momentum: (np) 1. A physical conservation
principle.  [den., science] 2. A {Uniformitarian BS} assumption.
[conn., Ted Holden]

:Context: (n) 1. In Gestalt terms, the ground against which a feature
is perceived.  2. The sentences surrounding a {quotation} in its
original material, which often must be supplied if the statement is to
be understood in its original sense.  The deliberate {omission} of
context is a form of {misquotation} if it leads the reader to
misinterpret the quotation. 3. An unnecessary and confusing mass of
text best left out of a {quotation}.  [conn., {TAE}, {SciCre}] This is
like carving a statue out of a block of wood: cutting away everything
that doesn't look like what one wants to get...

:Creation: (n) 1. The bringing forth of matter from nothing, or the
development of life from non-living systems.  cf. {abiogenesis}.

:Creationism: (n) 1. The belief in {creation(1)} as having a
supernatural agent, but usually without limiting the range of
mechanisms used by that agent.  See {CWACK}, {SciCre}.

:Creationist: (n) 1. One who accepts or promotes {creationism}.
[den.] 2. One who respects others' beliefs and is courteous.  [conn.,
Joe Morlan, added by request]

:Creation Science Research Center: (n) 1. A facility dedicated to the
advancement of {SciCre}.

:Crossover: (n) 1. The exchange of nucleotides between pairs of
homologous chromosomes during mitosis or especially meiosis.

:CRS: acronym [FAQ], "Creation Research Society".  The CRS requires a
statement of belief from members which is widely regarded as a bar to
any scientific integrity on the part of those who take it.  Most folks
associated with the {ICR} are members of the CRS.

:CSC: acronym, "Center for Scientific Creation", Walter Brown's
Phoenix-based organization for the promotion of {SciCre}.

:CSRC: acronym, see "Creation Science Research Center".

:Cumulative selection:* (np) 1. A process of repeated selection on
different traits.  It is the _accumulation_ of a number of different
_selected_ traits which makes cumulative selection a creative force.
[Syn., "cumulative evolution"]

:CWACK: acronym, "Christians Who Aren't Creationist Kooks".
[Originated by Jim Acker.]

:Darian: (adj) 1. A proposed term to describe mentally dense posters
or postings.  A darian poster can be told a simple fact (e.g.,
"Evolution does not have goals") three dozen times, illustrated by as
many different examples and analogies, and still respond with "But
then what is the goal of evolution?"  See {Scientific cretinism}.

:Dariosity: (n) 1. The level of impenetrability of a post due to
application of the {Argument from Infinite Digression} and/or sheer
mental density, measured in milliDarians (mD), as in "800 mD."  See
{Darius Lecointe}.

:Darwinian: (adj) 1. Of or pertaining to natural selection.  2.
Natural selection with gradualist assumptions.

:Day-Age theory: (np) 1. A {creationist} variety which holds that the
word "day" appearing in Genesis 1 should actually be read as "age".
The theory is an attempt to reconcile {literalism(2)} with science,
but (like the {Gosse Assertion}) satisfies neither side.

:Degree: (n) [FAQ] 1. Scalar unit of measure on a relative scale.
[den.] 2.  Award conferred by institutions of higher learning in
recognition of the recipient's completion of coursework and research
in a program of study.  [conn., science] 3. As in {degree(2)}, or
additionally an award conferred by an unaccredited institute in
recognition of the recipient's paying of the requisite printing fee,
or an award conferred upon one by oneself in recognition of one's
founding of the unaccredited institute, or an award conferred by one
upon oneself in recognition that one deserves it. [conn., {SciCre}]

:Dendrochronology: (n) 1. A relative dating technique utilizing tree
rings.  2.  Item of evidence misinterpreted due to {{uniformitarian}
BS} assumptions.

:Diploid: (adj) 1. In eukaryotes, having the normal complement of
chromosomes, that is, that chromosomes occur in homologous pairs.

:Dogma: (n) 1. Principles or propositions so firmly held that they are
incapable of change, even when accumulated contrary evidence might
indicate that a change is in order. [den.] 2. The positions of one's
opponent in debate or discussion. [conn.]

:Dogmatic: (adj) 1. Making assertions and arguments without the least
concern for the content of replies or proffered documentary materials,
such that the arguments so forwarded have the properties of
{dogma(1)}.

:Electro-magnetic Forces: (np) 1. Physical forces that are completely
described by Maxwell's equations (classically) or by QED (quantum
mechanically). [den., science] 2.  Weird, eerie, otherworldly forces
capable of doing any thing at any time for any reason. [conn., Ted
Holden]

:Ellipses: (n) 1. The typographical symbols "...", "....", "...?",
etc., which in a {quotation} indicate an intentional {omission} of
words, an abrupt change of thought, a lapse of time, or an incomplete
statement.  The four-character forms are used when the omission
extends to the end of the sentence.  {Brackets} should be used if
confusion as to the source of the "..." (the original material, or the
person making the quote) may occur, as "[...]".  2. In the
publications of certain groups, an almost certain indicator of
{misquotation}; cf. {ICR}.

:EMT: acronym, see "Evolutionary Mechanism Theory".

:Entropy:* (n) 1. S = k*ln(w); where S is entropy, ln is the natural
logarithm operator, k is Boltzmann's constant (1.38E-23 J/K), and w is
the number of quantum states in the system.  2. A mysterious and
arcane technical factor that discredits {evolution(3)} utterly.
[conn., {SciCre}] 3.  Symbol for a measure of information content in
strings forwarded by Claude E. Shannon on the advice of John Von
Neumann: "Call it 'entropy'; no one knows what that is, so you won't
be questioned about it." [{entropy(3)} etymology via Karl Pribram,
personal communication.]

:Evidence: (n) 1. An object or objects whose existence, attributes, or
organization provides empirical support for a {hypothesis} or
{theory}. [den., science]

:Evilution: (n) 1. The worldwide Communist - Satanist - Free-Silver -
Unionist - Sadist supersecret cabal and conspiracy to remove morals
and respect for God from human society using biological science
concepts that very few people understand anyway.  At the last
announcement, it cost $20 (payable to {Ybloc Sirhc}) just to get the
membership application information to join the conspiracy.  One
wonders how this plot can succeed where Envy, Pride, Sloth, Gluttony,
Avarice, Lust, and the other one no one remembers failed to do the
trick.

:Evilutionist: (n) 1. A proponent or dupe of the {evilution}
conspiracy.  Since proponents are masters of indirection, most known
evilutionists are dupes.  See {Ybloc Sirhc}. [Originated by Lionel
Tun.]

:Evolution: (n) [FAQ] 1. Change in allele frequency in a population
over time.  [den., science] This denotation is phenomenological, that
is, it represents the minimum phenomenon which biologists will, when
questioned, admit fits the term "evolution" and cannot be covered
completely under "adaptation", "variation", or the like.  It is also
inclusive, that is, all evolutionary phenomena can be recognized by
the means described in the denotation.  This denotation does not make
reference to or implications about evolutionary processes.  The means
by which the allele frequency changes occur are the subjects of a
number of {EMT}s, such as {natural selection} and {genetic drift}.
See Chris Colby's Evolution Primer and Larry Moran's essays for
details.  2. The descent of all living organisms from a common
ancestor or a relatively small set of common ancestors. [den.,
science] This is the non-reductionist formulation of {evolution(1)}.
3. Changes in adaptation and diversity in populations of organisms.
[den., {Ernst Mayr}] Often forwarded in preference to {evolution(1)}
by certain people.  4. The belief that all life originated,
complexified, and diversified via chance {mutation}s and descent as a
random process.  This (erroneous) connotation is quite common in the
USA.  [conn., {TAE}]

:Evolutionary Mechanism Theory: (np) 1. Any one of several
{theories(1)} in biology dealing explicitly with some aspect of
{evolution} or {cumulative evolution}.  Examples include Sewall
Wright's "shifting-balance theory", Eldredge and Gould's "punctuated
equilibrium theory", the theory of common descent, Darwin's "descent
with modification", and Henry Fairfield Osborn's "orthogenesis". While
"evolutionary theory" is equivalent, the point that mechanisms are
proposed and tested in {EMT}s is worthy of stress and repetition.

:Evolutionism:* (n) 1. Conditional acceptance of one or more {EMT}s
based upon the overwhelming evidence found for such.  [den., science]
2. Rejection of {SciCre} or the conjectures of Velikovsky.  [conn.,
{TAE}] 3.  {Uniformitarian BS}. [conn., Ted Holden] 4.  Philosophy of
inevitable development.  [conn., C.S. Lewis(?)]

:Evolutionist:* (n) 1. One who is active in research of one or more
{EMT}s, or who applies one or more {EMT}s in their research or
occupation.  [den., science] 2. Anyone supportive of or in agreement
with one or more {EMT}s.  [conn., laypeople] 3. {Uniformitarian BS}
artist. [conn., Ted Holden] 4. One who derides others' beliefs and is
rude.  [conn., Joe Morlan, added by request]

:FABNAQ: acronym, "Frequently Asked But Never Answered Question(s)".
Originated by {Tom Scharle}.

:Fallacy: (n) 1. Mode of invalid argumentation which comprises the
text of one's correspondents' posts, and which is never seen in one's
own.  ;-)

:False dichotomy: (np) 1. The principle that since no one brought
apples to the picnic, pears must have been brought instead.  Actually,
though, everyone brought potato salad exclusively.  An interesting
example of an attempted false dichotomy usage was at the 1981 Arkansas
Act 590 trial, where one of the lawyers for Arkansas, whose name was
Wilson, tried to get Francisco Ayala to agree with the "two-model"
argument.  Ayala replied, "My name is not not-Mr.  Williams.  This
courtroom is filled with people whose names are not not-Mr.
Williams."

:Falsifiable: (adj) 1. As prescribed by Karl Popper, the property
which is required for a {theory(1)} to be scientific.  There must be
some test which can be performed that will indicate that the theory is
wrong.  For example, the flat-Earth theory can be falsified by
circumnavigating the planet; the theory is thus scientific, although
falsified.  Despite recent {SciCre} legal and propaganda tactics,
evolution is falsifiable.

:FAQ: acronym, "Frequently Answered Question(s)".

:Fedfil: (n) 1. A hostname of a machine connected to the Internet
which was a host for an apparent net parasite.

:Felt Effect of Gravity: (np) 1. The assertion that the gravitational
attraction attributable to earth's mass was offset in the past by the
close proximity of Saturn.  The major evidence for this view is the
weightlifting ability of Kazmaier and the selected stories, legends,
and myths of certain nations.  Used, if not originated, by Ted Holden.

:FGU: acronym, "Frequently Given-out Understanding", any of a number
of illiterate writings elsewhere described as {FAQ}s, {FRA}s,
{FABNAQ}s, or jargon files. [den., Ted Holden, who gives as a
vocalization guide for {FGU} the string "fugg-U"]

:FIF: acronym, "Favorite Incoming {Flame}".  A bit of derogatory
rhetoric directed at a person which, due to its source, is considered
a compliment instead.  For example, {Chris Nedin} often includes a 
quote from Carl Wieland, a down-under {SciCre}-ist, in Nedin's
signature, stating, "How can Nedin be trusted?"

:Flame: (n) [FAQ] 1. An insult, put-down, or other invective aimed at
another participant in a discussion.

:Flame: (v) [FAQ] 1. The act of insulting, putting down, or lading with
invective another party in a discussion.

:Flood: (n) 1. A lot of standing water where it isn't usually
encountered.  [den., science] See {Flood, The}.  Examples include the
largest floods known from examination of geology, the "Spokane Flood"
or "Lake Missoula Flood", which was actually a repeated series of
flood events caused by glacial damming and release cycles that carved
out the "scablands" formations of eastern Washington state.

:Flood, The: (np) [FAQ] 1. The deluge which is related in Genesis
chapter six and thereafter.  Syn., "the deluge", "the Noachian
deluge", etc. [den., {TAE}] 2. The stuffing of a "newbie"'s mailbox
with {FAQ}s and {flame}s after a round of blithe parroting of the
{TAE} or {SciCre} party line. [conn., {t.o.  regulars}] See
{irrefutable truth}.

:ForTun: (n) 1. Program patterned after the "fortune" utility, which
emits a short aphorism with each invocation.  ForTun, however, emits a
short quote taken from the posts of the noted {SciCre} presence,
Lionel Tun.  For all that ForTun selects such quotes by {chance} from
a collected database of Tun-ian pearls, conversation with ForTun
provides an eerie verisimilitude in respect to conversation with
Lionel. [Program named and written by W. Kurt vonRoeschlaub.]

:FQA: acronym, "Frequently Questioned Answers".

:FRA: acronym, "Frequently Rebutted Assertion(s)".

:Gametes: (n) 1. The specialized cells produced by organisms for
sexual reproduction.  In isogamous species, the gametes produced by
the sexes are of equal size; in anisogamous species, the gametes are
of different sizes (with the producers of smaller gametes considered
as male).  In most metazoan animals, gametes are produced by {meiosis}
and are {haploid}.

:Gap theory: (np) 1. A theory that assigns God as the explanation for
anything that science cannot (yet) completely explain -- such as the
origin of life on Earth, or the "cause" of certain quantum events. The
problem with gap theory, from a theological point of view, is that God
keeps getting smaller and smaller as science explains more things -- a
few hundred years ago, God was the cause of weather and disease and
any number of other day-to-day events, but now He can act only in the
distant past or in ways indistiguishable from the actions of random
processes.  Also {God of the Gaps} theory.

:Gene: (n) 1. The fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity
which carries information from generation to the next. [den., from
Suzuki et al., 1989]

:Genetic Algorithms: (np) 1. Computational systems based upon an
implementation of natural selection as an algorithm for classification
or optimization.

:Genetic drift: (np) 1. {Evolution(1)} due to the fact that the
transmission of alleles from one generation to the next is essentially
a process of sampling from a finite set.  The actual base pair
sequences within the genome of a species may undergo mostly
unexpressed variations without the application of {natural selection}.
Genetic drift underlies the premise of the neutral theory.

:Genetics: (n) 1. The branch of science which deals with elucidating
the attributes and mechanisms of heredity in living systems.  On
Earth, this involves research into RNA and DNA.  [den., science]

:Genotype: (n) 1. The heritable information contained in an
individual. [den., science]

:God Of The Gaps: (n) A deity that is employed by its believers
whenever they don't understand something.  Some {TAE}s cling to that
god, and they see with horror that the more you understand, the less
gaps are left for it to live in, so they prefer understanding as
little as possible.

:Gosse Assertion, The: (np) 1. The belief that a creator created the
universe and life by fiat, but with the "appearance of age".  Rightly
rejected by most theologically astute persons as libelous or
blasphemous.  {Gosse} was the author of "Omphalos" (navel), where this
assertion was given its fullest treatment.

:Haploid: (adj) 1. In eukaryotes, having only half the normal
complement of chromosomes. 2. What the "H." in "Jesus H. Christ"
stands for.

:Hopeful Monster: (np) 1. The expression of a systemic mutation as
described by {Richard Goldschmidt}.  A pair of such "hopeful monsters"
of complementary sex might form the basis for a new species, giving a
saltational character to speciation processes.

:HTE: acronym, "Holden Technical Enterprises", which engages in
dealing with foreign languages for computers, statistical text search
techniques, etc.  The single proprietorship of {the Inimitable One}.

:Hypocrisy: (n) 1. The identification of a vice in others which is
considered a virtue in oneself.  2. The application of a double
standard, in which others are deprecated for behaving as one does
oneself.  3. Word which cannot be speeled corrictly on the ferst
attempt.  [conn., {t.o. regulars}] 4. {Flame}s which are motivated by
spelling errors.  ;-)

:Hypothesis: (n) 1. A statement which proposes a natural mechanism for
a phenomenon, where the mechanism is amenable to test, provides
explanatory and predictive power, and is conditionally held on review
of further observations and experiment.  [den., science] 2. A guess.
[conn., {TAE}]

:ICR: acronym, see "Institute for Creation Research"

:Ice core:* (np) [FAQ] 1. A sample of ice taken from glaciers or other
accumulations, often showing seasonal layering.  [den., science] Ice
cores can be dated by multiple independent means, with the oldest
published date of 140,000 +- 15,000 years for the Vostok core from
Antarctica [references in the {FAQ}].  2. Item of evidence
misinterpreted due to {{uniformitarian} BS} assumptions. [conn., Ted
Holden]

:Inimitable One, The: (np) 1. Reference to {Ted Holden}, vocal
proponent of Velikovsky as the ultimate source of information on
origins.  See {Bird's Eye Frozen Foods Division(2)}, {Electro-magnetic
Forces(2)}, {Felt Effect of Gravity}.  This appellation was designed
to allow for the creation of specific kill files, and is usually
reserved for {flame}s of The Inimitable One, or for the umpteenth
refutation of the same tired {FRA}s from The Inimitable One.  See
{Argumentum ad Assertion Repetitio ad Nauseam}.

:Institute for Creation Research: (np) [FAQ] 1. A facility dedicated
to the advancement of {SciCre} located in San Diego, California.

:Inversion: (n) 1. {Crossover} with one or both exchanged chromosome
fragments flipped end for end. 2. Reversing the meaning of a
{quotation} through {misquotation}. 3. Atmospheric condition in which
a mass of warm air remains at a low altitude.

:Invisible Pink Unicorn, The: (np) 1. A meta-symbol for replacement of
any supernatural agent forwarded in an explanation of origins or
descent, where the argument depends upon the unknowable nature of the
supernatural agent.  2. Horrible, blasphemous non sequitur forwarded
by desperate {evilutionist}s.

:IPU: acronym, see "Invisible Pink Unicorn, The"

:Irrefutable truth: (np) 1. Self-evident or easily verified
pronouncement in accordance with reality. [den.] 2. {FRA} brazenly put
forward as if true.  See {Paluxy River}. 3. True by {Argumentum ad
Assertion Repetitio ad Nauseam}; irrefutable because the arguer
refuses to acknowledge the existence of, much less the value in,
rebuttals to the main assertion.  {Flame}-bait.

:Isochron dating: (np) [FAQ] 1. A self-checking method of dating used
with several radioisotopes.  [den., science] 2. Desperate propaganda
forwarded by geologists and others to hide the failure of absolute
radioisotope dating techniques to provide reliable results. [conn.,
{TAE}]

:Kalki: (n) 1. Appellation for a Hare Krishna hive entity which
sporadically posts to t.o. as "Kalki Dasa".  {Kalki} has the most
parodied .sig in t.o. circles.

:Kalki Syndrome, The: (np) 1. Appellation for behavior in which a
poster makes a scathing critique of the behavior of others, which
actually is much more cogently applied to the poster himself.  [den.,
Benjamin Dehner] See {Kalki}, {hypocrisy}.

:Kind:* (n) 1. Unit of relationship beyond which genetic change cannot
alter descendents.  [den., {TAE}] Unfortunately, this is an
operational rather than observationally based definition.  2. An
inadequately referenced or defined grouping not amenable to analysis.
[conn., science] Typically employed by {SciCre}-ists and {TAE}s when
they become flustered.

:Kind: (adj) 1. Giving the benefit of doubt beyond all reason;
withholding flamage despite massive provocation; conducting discussion
without resort to witticism and sarcasm.  Unlike a {TOC}, {kind}
conduct has been spotted, albeit rarely, on t.o. and the Evolution
Echo.

:Last-Thursdayism: (np) 1. The assertion that all existence sprang
into being this past Thursday, with all memories of sentient beings
created in situ.  cf.  {The Gosse Assertion}.  Variants replace
"Thursday" and "Last" with other time symbols and relation modifiers.

:Liar: (n) 1. One who puts forward information which is known to be
untrue.  [den.]  2. Another person who puts forward information which
disagrees with information that one has already posted. [conn.] 3. One
who continues to put forward information for which a rebuttal has been
given.  [conn.] Notable example: Duane Gish's 1974 "Have You Been
Brainwashed?" pamphlet contains several errors of fact which Gish
admitted he knew about in 1985.  Ian Plimer pointed out that it seemed
odd that the {ICR} was still selling the pamphlet, unchanged, long
after Gish said he was aware of the errors.  See {irrefutable truth}.

:Literalism: (n) 1. A method of Biblical interpretation in which the
meaning of each passage is exactly what it states, no more and no
less.  This is an interesting ideal, but in practice is never
observed. 2. A method of Biblical interpretation in which the meaning
of each passage is exactly what it states, no more and no less,
*unless* theology or tradition or textual clues or common sense
indicates otherwise, in which case the meaning is something other than
exactly what the passage states.  This is the form in which
"literalism" is commonly encountered. See {literally(3)}.

:Literally: (adv) 1.  Of a method of making a weak joke or finding
fault with one's correspondent.  Example: "I am no relation to Robin
Lane Fox."  "Then, I take it, you do not believe in common origins."
The second person took the first person literally.  2. Figuratively.
[conn.] Example: "I was so angry, I literally exploded."  3.  Of a
method of reading into a text what you want it to say.  [conn., {TAE}]
Example: "I read both Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 literally."

:Locus:* (n) 1. A specific location upon the physical medium which
carries heritable information at which a {gene} resides. [den.,
science]

:Loki Points: (np) 1. Points garnered in the Chris Colby {t.o. home
game} by entering a tongue-in-cheek parody of a viewpoint opposite
your own which is responded to by persons of your own viewpoint as if
the parody was a real argument.  A classic example of a Loki Point
award includes whoever came up with the "decreasing body temperature
proves {SciCre}" post, which was a Barry Setterfield/Thomas Barnes
parody, but who attracted some pretty amazing {flame}s from {t.o.
regulars} who should have known better.  Named for the deceptive Norse
god Loki.

:Macroevolution:* (n) [FAQ] 1. {Evolution} at or above the species
level.  [den., science] The boundary between macro- and micro- is
fuzzy, as some researchers prefer to include speciation in micro- and
others reson that the only macro- process that gives distinctive
events is speciation.  Speciation events are thus, to many scientists,
examples of {macroevolution}.  2.  {Evolution} too imperceptible to be
observed within the lifetime of one researcher [conn., Goldschmidt,
1940].  While {SciCre}-ists are fond of quoting Goldschmidt when
discussing his {hopeful monster} conjecture, they show no inclination
to accept Goldschmidt's connotation of the term {macroevolution}. 3.
{Evolution} at a level which is not currently observed.  [conn.,
{TAE}] This is a common connotation among {SciCre}-ists and {TAE}s,
since it is open ended and easy to adjust with announcements of new
observations. Depending upon the astuteness of {SciCre}-ists and
{TAE}s in your local community, this may be asserted to be at levels
ranging from species to family, with a marked preference for the word
{kind}. Given the manner in which {kind} is defined, this becomes a
tautology.

:Macrogravity: (n) 1. The hypothetical force that is a major factor in
describing the motions of the planets and the stars.  [den., Tom
Scharle] Cf.  {microgravity(3)}.  Macrogravity can only be inferred
>from  these motions (the bodies involved being by definition not
subject to experimentation).  The identification with
{microgravity(3)} under the single concept of gravity is said to be
parallel to the identification of {macroevolution} and
{microevolution} under the concept of {evolution}.

:Meiosis: (n) 1. In diploid eukaryotes, a process of cell division in
which the chromosomes do not first duplicate.  Half of the original
cell's chromosomes go to each of the resulting cells, producing
{haploid} cells.

:Misquotation: (n) 1. Text which resembles a {quotation}, but which is
actually a fabrication or a misrepresentation of the original.  The
criterion for deciding if quoted text is a misquotation is that the
meaning of the quoted text is not the same as that of the original
text.  Some misquotations are accidental, but many require so much
effort to construct that they are almost certainly deliberate
falsifications.

:Misquotation by fabrication : (np) 1. A "quotation" which has no
original.

:Misquotation by omission : (np) 1.  Leaving out text from a
{quotation}, thereby altering its meaning.

:Misquotation by omission of context : (np) 1.  Omitting the {context}
of a {quotation}, thereby altering its meaning.

:Misquotation by patchwork : (np) 1. A particularly outrageous form of
{misquotation by omission}, in which widely separated phrases or
sentences are patched together.

:Misquotation by selection of strawmen : (np) 1. Quoting a
hypothetical or rhetorical position presented by an author during
exposition as if it was the actual position of the author; a form of
{misquotation by omission of context}.

:Mitosis: (n) 1. A process of cell division in which the chromosomes
first duplicate.  One copy of each chromosome goes to each of the
resulting cells, producing cells of the same ploidy.

:Microevolution: (n) [FAQ] 1. {Evolution} within the species level.
[den., science] 2.  Change in allele frequency in a population over
time.  [conn., {SciCre}] Note that this connotation is equivalent to
{evolution(1)}.  All {SciCre}-ists so far admit that
{microevolution(2)} is observed.  Some {TAE}s may not.  3. Adaptation
or variation.  [conn., those {TAE}s who balk at {microevolution(2)}]

:Microgravity: (n) 1. The state of very little gravitational
acceleration such as experienced in free fall, as in an artificial
satellite. [den.] 2. Small deviations in standard gravitational
attraction due to local masses (such as the Himalayas). [den.]  3. The
force which causes the observed weight and acceleration of bodies in
the laboratory.  [conn., Tom Scharle] Microgravity is by definition
the force which can be measured experimentally.  Newton's {theory(1)}
of Universal Gravitation identified microgravity(3) and
{macrogravity}.

:Morlanization: (n) 1. The process of taking a correspondent's
argument, taking it to the nearest available extreme position,
pigeonholing it there, and then claiming that the pigeonholed argument
is actually the correspondent's position.  2. The process of deleting
qualifying comments from a paragraph of a correspondent's post, then
claiming that the statements sans qualifications are the complete
representation of the correspondent's position.  Both one and two due
to {Joe Morlan}; see {Strawman Argument}.  Often difficult to detect
as a strawman, since morlanized posts often contain what appear to be
legitimate {quotations} that are actually {misquotations by omission
of context}.

:Mutation:* (n) 1. An error in duplication of genetic material which
results in a different sequence of and/or a different number of base
pairs in the copy than were in the original.  [den., science] 2. An
error in duplication of genetic material which results in a different
sequence of and/or a different number of base pairs in the copy than
were in the original, which is always bad for the organism getting the
copy. [conn., {TAE}] 3. An error in duplication of genetic material
which results in a different sequence of and/or a different number of
base pairs in the copy than were in the original, which is always bad
for the organism getting the copy, except after {The Flood}. [conn.,
{SciCre}]

:Natural selection: (np) 1. The differential reproduction and,
thereby, transmission of alleles between generations, of individuals
in a population, due to heritable variation in a trait or traits which
they possess.  This is one mechanism by which {evolution(1)} can
occur.  [den.]  2. Survival of the fittest. [conn., due to {Herbert
Spencer} c. 1850] This oversimplification is perhaps the most widely
held incorrect "definition" of {evolution}.  Several people have spent
much time and effort declaring that {natural selection(2)} is a
tautology, although their intended target was apparently {natural
selection(1)}.  The list of those making this {strawman argument}
analysis includes such luminaries as {Arthur Koestler}, {Tom Bethell},
and {Phillip E.  Johnson}.

:NCSE: acronym, "National Center for Science Education", publisher of
the Creation/Evolution journal and NCSE Reports newsletter.  (NCSE,
P.O. Box 9477, Berkeley, CA 94709, (510) 843-3393.  $20/year for
membership and both publications.)

:? Nebraska Man: (np) 1. An instance of misclassification of fossil
teeth as hominid when they were actually those of an extinct peccary.
{Osborn} did the original misclassification and also organized the
field work which uncovered evidence that the fossils were
misclassified.  Total elapsed time between misclassification and
correct classification was about five years.  2.  Evolutionary hoax
which proves that scientific evidence cannot be trusted [conn.
{SciCre}, {TAE}]

:? Nebraska man: (n) 1. A peccary's tooth which was misidentified as
human and for a time led researchers to believe primitive hominids had
been present in the Americas.  Despite initial enthusiasm about the
find (particularly among American paleontologists -- "As we always
thought, mankind originated in America", oh say can you see et
cetera), further examination correctly identified the tooth, and the
Nebraska man now serves as a fine example of science's self-correcting
properties.  2. An error which shows how everything {evilutionist}
scientists claim to known about man's origins is wrong [conn,
{SciCre}].

:Neutralist hypothesis: (np) 1. The hypothesis that most variation in
{genotype}s is phenotypically neutral in affect (that no or
insignificant selective pressure operates upon heritable variation),
and that the major mechanisms of heritable change in populations are
genetic drift and gene flow.  Propounded most forcefully by Kimura.
[den., science]

:Non sequitur: (np) 1. A response which does not address the main
issue in contention.  An artful use of non sequitur allows one to
divert attention from a disastrous train of discussion at the modest
expense of one's intellectual integrity.  From the Latin, "It does not
follow."  2. Improper inference based on premises necessary, but not
sufficient, for justification of the conclusion claimed.  The
conclusion is asserted to follow without the specification of the
complete line of logic needed to establish the implication. See
{fallacy}.

:? Old-Earth: (adj) 1. Referring to {creationist} varieties in which
the universe and Earth are acknowledged to be old (as indicated by
science) but certain features -- particularly mankind -- are
considered recently created.

:Omission: (n) 1. A portion of text which appears in an original
source but is left out of a quotation.  All omissions must be
indicated by {ellipses} in order to avoid turning a {quotation} into a
{misquotation}.

:Ontogeny:* (n) 1. The process of the development and growth of an
individual from zygote to adult.  [den., science] 2. One third of
Ernst Haeckel's famous, but flawed, dictum that "Ontogeny
recapitulates phylogeny".

:Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny: (s) 1. The principle that each
phase of the {ontogeny} of an individual directly represents the adult
phase of some ancestor species in the {phylogeny} of the species to
which the indivdual belongs.  The turn of phrase is attributed to
Ernst Haeckel, while the "biogenetic law" upon which it was based can
be traced back to von Baer.  This principle is recognized to be
inaccurate in several respects, and its use is generally deprecated.
[den., science]

:Paluxy River:* (np) [FAQ] 1. The site near Glen Rose, Texas, of the
"Paluxy River Mantracks", or "Creationist (sic) Piltdown".
{SciCre}-ists from the {CSRC} and {ICR}, among others, long contended
that certain trackways in the Paluxy River riverbed contained coeval
man and dinosaur tracks.  Upon close inspection, the putative human
tracks were found to belong to a bipedal three-toed dinosaur.
Amazingly enough, the {ICR} organ (not at all {vestigial(1)}) "Acts
and Facts" announced that the Paluxy River trackways should no longer
be considered evidence for {SciCre}.  Various {ICR} fellow-travelers
have been slow on the uptake, though, and one occasionally finds a
"newbie" who posts the {irrefutable truth} about Paluxy River.


:Pedant points: (np) Any attempts to define them are hopeless, since
those who are interested in them will find faults in any definition.

:Peking man: (n) 1. A hominid fossil (now generally agreed to be _Homo
erectus_) discovered in China before World War II.  The original bones
were lost during the Japanese invasion of China, although castings
survive.  2. An example of the sinister {evilutionist} plot to conceal
the truth about man's origins by destroying physical evidence [conn,
{SciCre}].

:Phenotype: (n) 1. The set of measurable or detectable physical or
behavioral features of an individual.  The phenotype represents the
expression of the {genotype} of the individual as modified by
environmental conditions during the individual's {ontogeny}. [den.,
science]

:Phylogeny:* (n) 1. The history of descent of a species.  [den.,
science] 2. One third of Ernst Haeckel's famous, but flawed, dictum
that "Ontogeny recpitulates Phylogeny".

:Piltdown Man: (np) 1. Hoaxed fossil finds of 1912 and 1915 which
combined jawbone of orangutan with a modern human skull, labeled
Eoanthropus dawsonii.  The hoaxed fossils were widely regarded as
anomalous during the time when they were considered valid; the hoax
was discovered by scientists in 1953.  {Gould} hypothesized that
{Teilhard de Chardin} was the person who may have done the filing and
staining of the fossils in the hoax.

:? Piltdown man: (n) 1. A hoax in which a skull with both human and
ape-like features (actually, a chimera assembled from a modern human
cranium and an ape's jaw) was "discovered" in an English quarry.
Despite initial enthusiasm about the find (particularly among British
paleontologists -- "As we always thought, mankind originated in
Britain", rule Britannia et cetera), further examination exposed the
hoax, and the Piltdown man now serves as a fine example of science's
self-correcting properties.  2. A hoax which shows how {evilutionists}
have fabricated all their so-called "evidence" about man's origins
[conn, {SciCre}].

:Po-haloes: contraction, see "Polonium haloes"

:Politeness through sarcastic aggression: (np) The means by which
young whippersnappers are made to see the error of their rude ways.
See also {Kalki Syndrome}, {hypocrisy}.

:Polonium haloes:* (np) [FAQ] 1. Radiation induced pleochroic haloes
in mica.  [den., science] 2. Phenomenon of (1) asserted to be
contradictory to common assumptions of crust formation and
radioisotope dating methods. [conn., {SciCre}, due to Robert Gentry]

:? Progressive creationism: (n) 1. An {old-Earth} {creationist}
variety which holds that the geologic history of Earth is as
represented in the fossil record, but God intervened to create each
species at the appropriate time in history.  A legitimate theory, but
falsified by modern observations of speciation events.

:Proof: (n) 1. Alcohol content rating, equal to twice the percentage
content.  Properly used as one criterion for beer selection.  2.
Assurance of truth of a proposition, available in certain logic
systems, but not available in matters of scientific inquiry.  3. Level
of evidence required of an {EMT} before a {TAE} will accept it.
Obviously, no {TAE} need fear accepting an {EMT}, since {EMT}s are
scientific in nature.

:Punctuated equilibria: (np) 1. Hypothesis forwarded by Niles Eldredge
and Stephen Jay Gould that states that most species are characterized
by long periods of stasis "punctuated" by occasional and brief
productions of daughter species.  This represents a modification of
Darwinian evolution by stating that the rate of evolution can change,
mainly depending upon population size and selection pressure.  A
prediction of PE is that transitional sequences showing speciation
events should be rare in the fossil record, and when found, should
show that speciation occurs mostly in small, isolated populations
which subsequently spread rapidly. [den., science] 2. A cynical
{theory(2)} which admits that no transitional fossils exist, and
confirms exactly what {SciCre}-ists have been saying all along.
[conn., {SciCre}]

:Quick Frozen Mammoths: (np) [FAQ] 1. A myth originating from the
discovery of mammoth cadavers mummified by ice/snow/cold.  2.
Flash-frozen beasties (verified by {Bird's Eye Frozen Foods
Division}), that prove that Earth orbited Saturn, or that Venus
whipped by, or something.  [conn., Ted Holden]

:Quotation: (n) 1. Text which a writer uses which was written by
someone else.  Quotations should appear within quotation marks ("") or
be set off from surrounding text unambiguously.  The original author
and source should be indicated, preferably in the form of a
{reference(1)}.  The material may be edited _slightly_, provided all
conventions for such alterations are followed (cf.  {brackets},
{context}, {ellipses}, {omission}). 2. {Misquotation(1)}, provided it
supports your position. ;-)

:? Recombination: (n) 1. A process whereby new combinations of
existing {alleles} are produced.  Examples include {sexual
reproduction}, which recombines alleles from two different organisms,
and {crossover}, which recombines alleles from two different
chromosomes.

:Reference: (n) 1. Information about the source of a quotation (or
other data) which can be used to locate the original.  See any style
book for the information which must be included in a reference.  2.
Biblical book, chapter, and verse which supports a statement and
therefore shows it to be true.  [conn, {SciCre}, {TAE}].  3. Vague
phrases such as "A guard at the Smithsonian told me..." or "Before
there were animal-rights laws this guy used to drive around the
country with an ape and..." which when preceeding some information
shows it to be true.  [conn, Ted Holden]. 4. A polite way of saying,
"I think you're lying", as in the phrase "References, please?", or
more pointedly, as, "Do you have a reference for that?" 5. An item
wanted but never found.  "I'll find it after [ the end of the term |
this project is finished | I complete this 64 disk Tower of Hanoi
puzzle ]."  [conn., {SciCre}, {TAE}]

:ROPFP: acronym, "Read Other People's (fine?) Posts".  Sometimes seen
when particularly vacuous or clueless responses to rebuttals are
given.

:RTFF: acronym, "Read the (fine?) FAQs".  Many newcomers to the
discussion apparently have the idea that their thoughts and arguments
are so new and solid that it is inconceivable that either the argument
has been seen before and refuted or that any effective or arguable
rebuttal could be forthcoming.  A common response to the perceived
arrogance of the newcomer is a mass of replies telling him to RTFF.
See {Flood, The(2)}.

:SciCre: contraction, see "Scientific Creationism".  [neologism circa
1986, due to Wesley Elsberry]

:Scientific Creationism: (np) 1. The belief that scientific evidence
supports the literal factuality of the first eleven or so chapters of
the book of Genesis in the bible, in contradiction to {EMT}s.  [den.,
{SciCre}] This is derived from early sources of the term; later ones
try to dissociate {SciCre} from "biblical creationism" by the
expedient course of not actually mentioning the Bible when discussing
{SciCre}.  {SciCre}-ists are distinguished by two features from the
{TAE}s: {SciCre} is associated only with literal inerrantist
interpretations of Genesis, and {SciCre}-ists take a pro-active stance
on pushing their conjectures into secondary school science classrooms
as science alongside or in replacement of {EMT}s.  {SciCre} came about
because of a rift in the American Scientific Affiliation, an
organization of religious scientists.  Several ASA members became
disillusioned with the ASA because the predominant Deist sentiments of
the membership, and they then went about setting up several offshoot
organizations (the {CSRC}, the {ICR}, etc.).  See {literally(3)}.

:? Scientific cretinism: (n) 1. Scientific creationism presented by a
particularly dense proponent; particularly one who presents nothing
but prepared materials (e.g., {ICR} pamphlets) and is to all
appearances unable to produce an original thought.

:Scientific storkism: (n) 1. The theory that human babies are
delivered by the stork.  It must be true, it's what my parents told
me.  The theory may be invoked as a counter to {argument from
authority}.  There is a humorous post which develops this idea fully.

:Second Law of Thermodynamics: (np) [FAQ] 1.  
        S(t+1) >= S(t)
        S(t) = k*ln(w) 
where S is entropy, t is time, ln is the natural log operator, k is
Boltzmann's constant (1.38E-23 J/K), and w is the number of quantum
states in the isolated system.  An isolated system is one in which
neither energy nor matter is exchanged with another system.  The
system should be in thermal equilibrium, also, for entropy to remain
nondecreasing.  This is the statistical formulation.  [den., science]
2. Disorder increases over time. [conn., {SciCre}] It is common to see
this vague misstatement of the 2nd law coupled with a statement of an
erroneous prediction attributed to {EMT}'s of increasing order over
time.

:Selfish gene: (n) 1. A theory proposed by Richard Dawkins that
states that the unit of selection is the gene, not the organism.  The
theory's rejection of the role of the organism in the selection
process is currently viewed as incorrect.  2. A catchphrase which,
like "survival of the fittest", can be distor -- er, _employed_ to
show that {evilutionists} are immoral [conn, {SciCre}].

:Sex: (n) 1. {Sexual reproduction}.  2. The activities that organisms
engage in for the purpose of sexual reproduction.  3.  Judging by the
number of divine laws relating to it, an obsession of certain deities.

:Sexual reproduction: (n) 1. A method of reproduction in which the
genetic material of the new organism(s) is obtained by combining that
of two or more existing organisms.  See {asexual reproduction},
{gametes}.

:Shooting oneself in the foot: (np) 1. A {fallacy} in which the
argument used, rather than supporting one's point, refutes it.
Example: "If the population of humans increased by only a small
percentage per year in the last 100,000 years, the population of
humans would be far larger than it is today.  Therefore, evolution is
wrong."  That the number of individuals in a population has a tendency
to increase geometrically if there were not the limits placed by
competition for resources and carrying capacity was one of the most
famous arguments used by Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace in
advancing the {theory(1)} of {natural selection(1)}, following the
ideas of Thomas Malthus.  It is easiest to shoot oneself in the foot
with numerical arguments, since many statistically astute people lurk
about on t.o./Evolution Echo with nothing better to do than to run
your numbers through their SAS/SSPS/Systat/etc. systems just for fun.

:Special creation: (np) 1. Doctrine that immutable species were
created over the range of geologic time.  This was an attempt to mesh
a non-literal interpretation of Genesis with the evidence of the
fossil record. [den.] 2. The events of the {creation} week as given in
the first two chapters of Genesis.  [conn., {SciCre}]

:Species:* (n) 1. Highly controversial term given a variety of
definitions by biologists.  Currently, the Biological Species Concept
(BSC) is widely popular: Groups of actually or potentially
interbreeding populations, which are reproductively isolated from
other such groups (Mayr, 1963, Animal Species and Evolution).
Unfortunately, a criticism leveled at the BSC is its inapplicability
to the normal mode of taxonomic research.  2. The group beyond which
{microevolution(2)} cannot be shown to operate. [conn., {SciCre},
{TAE}]

:Strawman Argument: (np) 1. Stating a misrepresented version of an
opponent's argument for the purpose of having an easier target to
knock down.  A common, but deprecated, mode of argument.  See
{fallacy}.

:TAE: acronym, see "Theistic Anti-Evolutionist"

:Taoistic Creationism: (np) 1. The religious belief that the Universe
was designed and/or created without either a Designer and/or a
Creator.  [Originally posted by Rob "More Reserved than C-Frog"
Derrick.]

:Tautology: (n) See {truism}.

:Theistic Anti-Evolutionist: (np) 1. Any person who expresses
opposition to {EMT}s when motivated by religious doctrine, as
contrasted with those who propose alternative hypotheses and theories
within the framework of the scientific method.  The {TAE} tends to
confuse {evolution} and {EMT}s, which typically results in the {TAE}
making specific criticisms of a particular {EMT} while asserting that
all {EMT}s are affected.  [den., Rob "More Reserved than C-Frog"
Derrick (confirm?)].

:Theistic Evolutionist: (np) 1. A person who attempts to reconcile the
physical evidence of origins with a scriptural or other theological
belief framework, giving equal credence to the aspects of science and
theology.

:Theory: (n) 1. A statement which proposes a natural mechanism for a
phenomenon, where the mechanism is amenable to test, provides
explanatory and predictive power, is conditionally held on review of
further observations and experiment, and has accumulated supporting
observations and experimental results. [den., science] 2. Just a
guess. [conn., {SciCre}]

:Theory of Abrupt Appearance: (n) 1. A {theory(2)} that gaps in the
fossil record are simply gaps, and will not be filled by further
paleontological research.  At least, so hope the {SciCre}-ists and
{TAE}s headed by Wendell Bird.

:Theory of Creation(ism):* (np) 1. A much talked about, but never
seen, {theory(1)} which places {creationism} into the realm of
scientific inquiry.  Dr Pepper is noted for requesting a statement of
the {TOC} from {SciCre}-ists and {TAE}s.  2. "[God | Ea | Krishna |
Ymir | {IPU} | etc.] did it."  This, unfortunately, fails to meet
several of the criteria for a {theory(1)}, although it handily meets
the laxer criteria of a {theory(2)}.  Also unfortunately, {TOC(2)} is
so far the closest approach to {TOC(1)} that has been observed.
(Please send more names to include in the quoted section of {TOC(2)}.)
4. Any legitimate scientific theory with the key phrase run through a
search and replace function where the new phrase becomes "creation".
[conn., {Joe Morlan}]

:Tierra: (n) 1. Artificial life simulation of {Tom Ray}'s which
demonstrates the utility of natural selection in computer
implementations for finding novel approaches to difficult problems.
This is prima facie evidence that {A.E.  Wilder-Smith} was premature in
declaring "simulations of natural selection 'jam' the best computers".

:TOC: acronym, see "Theory of Creation(ism)".

:t.o. home game: (np) [FAQ] 1. {Chris Colby}'s statement of point
assignments to be credited or debited to persons on the observation of
certain events in threads on talk.origins.  Chris has lately come out
with an addition to the point assignment rules to make it easier for
{SciCre}-ists and {TAE}s to participate in the fun.

:t.o. Regulars, The (aka The t.o. Irregulars): (np) 1. A plucky band
of derring-do-gooders, who have dedicated their free time to stamp out
the idiocy that is {SciCre}.  2. A plucky band of Atheistic-Communist
puppets set upon destroying all that is holy in the world.  [conn.,
{SciCre}] 3. A tree full of Howler Monkeys. [conn., Ted Holden]

:True Science: (np) 1. Science operated with respect for the
inconsistent skepticism of {SciCre}-ists and {TAE}s.  In other words,
not science, but {dogma}.

:Truism: (n) See {tautology}.

:Tunicate: (n) 1. The sea squirt, an urochordate.  In its larval
stage, it has a notochord and rudimentary brain.  At metamorphosis, it
attaches itself to a fixed location and the notochord and brain wither
away.  The adult is just a breathing bag covered in mucus.  2.
(spelled Tun-icate) A poster who is strong proof of the close
evolutionary relationship of vertebrates with the urochordates.

:U. of E.: (np) Contraction for {University of Ediacara}.

:Uniformitarian: (adj) 1. Assumption that processes acting in the
past are the same as those acting in the present.  [den., science] 2.
Assumption that processes acting in the past are the same as those
acting in the present with the same rates. [conn., {TAE}, Ted Holden]
3. The position of Sir Charles Lyell, as opposed to Georges Baron de
Cuvier's Catastrophism, in last century's quarrel among geologists.
Lyell won.
 
:Uniformitarian BS: (np) 1. Acceptance of {uniformitarian(2)}. [den.,
Ted Holden] 2. Descriptor used by Ted Holden of any post that
disagrees with him, regardless of the nature of assumptions used.
[conn., {t.o. Regulars}]

:University of Ediacara: (np) 1. Talk.origins "virtual university", a
running in-joke which places t.o. regulars in various unlikely faculty
positions.  The name derives from a set of hills in Australia, where a
spectacular find of pre-Cambrian multicellular fossils were discovered
in the mid-1960's.  The {U. of E.} motto is "Knowledge, Wisdom, Beer".
The Dean is {Chris Colby}, the registrars are {Stephen "Chris" Watson}
and {Seanna "Chris" Watson}.  The quoted "Chris" in names derives from
the seeming omnipresence of definitive posts from the "big three",
{Chris Colby}, {Chris Stassen}, and {Chris Nedin} at the time that the
{U. of E.} was created; "Chris" is added to most faculty names in
deference to a Monty Python skit.  Many references to fossil forms,
strangely enough, are to fauna of the Burgess Shale rather than to the
Ediacaran Fauna.

:Varve:* (n) [FAQ] 1. A seasonal deposition of sediments in certain
lakes. [den., science] 2. Item of evidence misinterpreted due to
{{uniformitarian} BS} assumptions. [conn., Ted Holden]

:Vestigial: (adj) [FAQ] 1. A non-functional anatomical component
retained merely as a matter of contingent history.  [den., science]
Example: "{SciCre} is evidence that the human brain is the next
vestigial organ."  2. A component whose function is beyond current
human comprehension.  [conn., {TAE}] Example: "The human appendix,
considered to be vestigial, actually performs a function which God has
not deigned to allow us to discover."

:Watchmaker Analogy: (n) A cunning argument saying that living beings
can't generate without a creator because they are like watches, and
watches can't.

:Ybloc Sirhc: (np) 1. Appellation of the Demonic Overlord who is the
dreaded earthly coordinator of the {evilutionist} conspiracy.  The
suggestion that Ybloc Sirhc is the secret identity of a connoisseur of
fine beers and ales is supported by numerous independent lines of
evidence (including the facts that Boston is home to both the Red Sox
-- an obvious allusion to Satanic footwear -- and the Celtics -- an
ancient pagan religious group).  [den., Matt Brinkman]

:Young-Earth: (adj) 1. Referring to {creationist} varieties which hold
that the universe and Earth, as well as life, are of recent creation.

Futuyma, Douglas J. 1979. Evolutionary Biology. Sinauer Associates.

Suzuki, Griffiths, Miller and Lewontin. 1989. An Introduction to Genetic Analysis, 4th Edition.

Brinkman, Matt Colby, Chris Cox, Ken Fargher, Rob Harter, Richard Isaak, Mark Jefferys, William H. Kettenring, Thomas Lippard, James Morlan, Joe Otto, Jeff Peters, Andy Scharle, Tom Scott, Alan Stassen, Chris Vickers, Brett J. Vonroeschlaub, W. Kurt Watson, Bradley S. Watson, Stephen Wiener, Matthew P.

My thanks to Jeff Otto for the Suzuki reference and excerpts.