Claire Conger

This morning, NPR science writer Joe Palca called creationism a “theory” and Darwin’s ideas “notions.” Now I think he’s got that backwards! (Darwin, Britain’s Hero, Is Still Controversial in U.S.)

A “theory” is an idea derived from logic put forth for discussion, argument, and modification as scientists make discoveries. Does that describe creationism? I think not. Creationists allowing discussion and constructive argument? Why, that’s an oxymoron.

Mr Palca then referred to Darwin’s ideas as “notions.” I use “notion” to refer to a thought that is likely to be inaccurate, possibly even damaging. In fact, Merriam-Webster’s first synonym is “whim”!

Mr Palca, it seems, was lazy with his vocabulary and added another brick to the unreinforced masonry of “intelligent” design, which, by the way, if it’s so intelligent, why do humans have have so many errors? No one should ever need their* appendix removed.

To make matters worse, the NPR program host referred to eugenics as a discipline! Yes, a discipline, the term usually reserved for scientific endeavor, the kind that uses theories based on logic subject to modification. What was she thinking? Maybe she likes the idea of a superior race. Wasn’t that Hitler’s goal?

* In the nineteenth century, misguided and patriarchal grammarians decided that the male pronouns should dominate. I hereby return to the more egalitarian English of yore, when “they” and “their” were both singular and plural as are “you” and “your” today. See “Pesky Prepositions and Anonymous Grammar Nazis.”