(R)Evolutionary Thinking

I was at the Field Museum in Chicago in December, where they have a terrific exhibit about evolution. The heading of the sign on the rights says

"Evolution is one of science's best-supported theories."

THIS WEEK, the movie Creation (about Darwin's life) is at the Michigan Theater, so it seems appropriate to honor Darwin's contribution to a huge paradigm shift that has taken place over the last 150 years.

Charles Darwin's thinking was evolutionary, and also--Revolutionary. He was able to be a (r)evolutionary thinker because he was a wonderful observer, and he was simultaneously open-minded. He read widely, and he thought about multiple fields of science. I learned about him in college classes in geology, biology, and environmental studies.

And yet, debates persist. [And honestly, I don't understand that. I don't see any conflict between evolution and religion. If the "hand of God" is in everything, then why not in evolution?] You can read more about these debates in the Chronicle of Higher Education.

You say you want a revolution? Well, you know--we all want to change the world.

(Beatles)

I think Charles Darwin did.