Darwin vs. The Idiots. My money is on Darwin (and The Idiots probably don't jive with gambling, either).
Listening to Furlip (Michael Agnello on 58Live) today, I heard him state that Dr. Joseph Mastropaolo, a creationist kook, is going to be on either Thursday (or maybe it was Friday's show, it was kind of a bad reception, I couldn't tell for sure).
I love how they call him "Dr." and try to give him such credibility in the area of evolution. He is a professor of kinesiology. He is a glorified PE teacher. He has no degrees in biology, microbiology, or any other real "life" science. "Dr." Mastropaolo has a masters in kinesiology from the University of Illinois. Their "kinesiology" degree is granted by their school of "Movement Science." They don't even have an actual "kinesiology" degree anymore; it's been morphed into "Movement Science." A quick look at the degree synopsis from the U of I site shows that the "kinesiology" degree, really isn't that much of a "science" degree. It is certainly not the equivalent of a biology degree, or an anthropology degree, or something remotely related to studying what is the theory of evolution. In fact, the master's degree requires only require 1 semester of biology as a prerequisite. Hell, I have bachelor's degree in a social science, and I took TWO semesters of biology. I guess I'm twice as qualified as Mastropaolo on the topic of evolution. I'm sure the theory of evolution is just discussed ALL the time in the classes that are in the degree requirements of Mastropaolo's master's degree program.
MVSC 500 Research Methods in Movement Sciences (3)
MVSC 452 Advanced Exercise Physiology (3)
MVSC 460 Advanced Exercise and Musculoskeletal Function (3)
MVSC 545 Adv Exercise Programming and Assessment (3)
DHD 520/MVSC 520 Disability and Physical Activity (3)
One course in Marketing or Management (3)
MVSC 597 Project in Movement Sciences (6)
OR
MVSC 593 Internship in Movement Sciences
Plus one additional elective (6)
Special Projects/Elective Coursework (8)
(at least one course in a cognate area)
Exercise Biology -
MVSC 500 Research Methods in Movement Sciences (3)
MVSC 501 Current Research in MVSC (1) x 3
MVSC 523 Exercise Biology in Health & Disease (3)
MVSC 529 Exercise Genomics (3)
MVSC 598 Master's Thesis Research (6)
OR
MVSC 597 Project in Movement Sciences (6)
6 hrs. approved cognate electives
8 hrs. Independent study/elective coursework
Motor Control and Learning -
MVSC 500 Research Methods in Movement Sciences (3)
MVSC 501 Current Research in MVSC (1)
MVSC 472 Movement Neuroscience (3)
PT/MVSC 571 Biomechanics of Normal and Abnormal Movement (3)
MVSC 572 Psychology of Motor Control and Learning (3)
PT/MVSC 574 Instrumentation for Motor Control Research (3)
MVSC 598 Master's Thesis Research (6)
OR
MVSC 597 Project in Movement Sciences (6)
6 hrs. approved cognate electives
4 hrs. Independent study/elective coursework
Check out that list of degree requirements. I don't see much on there, that would even remotely relate to anthropology or evolutionary biology. I mean, Marketing? Psychology of Motor Control and Learning? Yeah, those look like real biology intensive classes.
The best part is this. Mastropaolo is hooked up with another certifiable kook, local math teacher, Karl Priest. Priest claims that he can teach middle schoolers that evolution isn't possible using statistics and math. If there ever was a situation where competency testing for teachers was required, Priest should be the first one on the list to get his head checked. Yes, Priest can teach 7th graders that a scientific theory that has been widely proven and accepted by some of the greatest biologists in the history of the world, is false, in just a matter of minutes. And I also have a bridge I would like to sell you. It's in this little place up north called Brooklyn.
If all it takes to be a certified evolution expert (or in Mastropaolo and Priest's case, certified evolution critic) is to have their educations, there's a TON of evolution experts out there.
I bet Furlip doesn't have Mastropaolo take any calls, or if they do, they'll be screened to eliminate anyone who has an iota of understanding of evolution. And Mastropaolo will pontificate and give bizarre and sweeping generalizations about stuff that he "claims" will disprove evolution. When in fact, many, if not all of his generalizations, if given enough scrutiny, don't stand up against the slightest criticism. In fact, most, if not all of his "evidence" folds like a cheap suit, with just a modicum of examination. But Mastropaolo will go largely uncontested, because the actual scientific explanation of what he claims as "evidence" doesn't lend itself well to 20 second explanations that will fit in between Furlip's stations commercials, and Furlip's own gushing suck-upness to Mastropaolo.
I'm also willing to bet there'll also be lots of "I didn't come from no ape!!!" callers.
Well guess what? If they had clue 1 about what evolution actually stated, they'd know that Darwin never said that we came from apes, either.
I love how they call him "Dr." and try to give him such credibility in the area of evolution. He is a professor of kinesiology. He is a glorified PE teacher. He has no degrees in biology, microbiology, or any other real "life" science. "Dr." Mastropaolo has a masters in kinesiology from the University of Illinois. Their "kinesiology" degree is granted by their school of "Movement Science." They don't even have an actual "kinesiology" degree anymore; it's been morphed into "Movement Science." A quick look at the degree synopsis from the U of I site shows that the "kinesiology" degree, really isn't that much of a "science" degree. It is certainly not the equivalent of a biology degree, or an anthropology degree, or something remotely related to studying what is the theory of evolution. In fact, the master's degree requires only require 1 semester of biology as a prerequisite. Hell, I have bachelor's degree in a social science, and I took TWO semesters of biology. I guess I'm twice as qualified as Mastropaolo on the topic of evolution. I'm sure the theory of evolution is just discussed ALL the time in the classes that are in the degree requirements of Mastropaolo's master's degree program.
MVSC 500 Research Methods in Movement Sciences (3)
MVSC 452 Advanced Exercise Physiology (3)
MVSC 460 Advanced Exercise and Musculoskeletal Function (3)
MVSC 545 Adv Exercise Programming and Assessment (3)
DHD 520/MVSC 520 Disability and Physical Activity (3)
One course in Marketing or Management (3)
MVSC 597 Project in Movement Sciences (6)
OR
MVSC 593 Internship in Movement Sciences
Plus one additional elective (6)
Special Projects/Elective Coursework (8)
(at least one course in a cognate area)
Exercise Biology -
MVSC 500 Research Methods in Movement Sciences (3)
MVSC 501 Current Research in MVSC (1) x 3
MVSC 523 Exercise Biology in Health & Disease (3)
MVSC 529 Exercise Genomics (3)
MVSC 598 Master's Thesis Research (6)
OR
MVSC 597 Project in Movement Sciences (6)
6 hrs. approved cognate electives
8 hrs. Independent study/elective coursework
Motor Control and Learning -
MVSC 500 Research Methods in Movement Sciences (3)
MVSC 501 Current Research in MVSC (1)
MVSC 472 Movement Neuroscience (3)
PT/MVSC 571 Biomechanics of Normal and Abnormal Movement (3)
MVSC 572 Psychology of Motor Control and Learning (3)
PT/MVSC 574 Instrumentation for Motor Control Research (3)
MVSC 598 Master's Thesis Research (6)
OR
MVSC 597 Project in Movement Sciences (6)
6 hrs. approved cognate electives
4 hrs. Independent study/elective coursework
Check out that list of degree requirements. I don't see much on there, that would even remotely relate to anthropology or evolutionary biology. I mean, Marketing? Psychology of Motor Control and Learning? Yeah, those look like real biology intensive classes.
The best part is this. Mastropaolo is hooked up with another certifiable kook, local math teacher, Karl Priest. Priest claims that he can teach middle schoolers that evolution isn't possible using statistics and math. If there ever was a situation where competency testing for teachers was required, Priest should be the first one on the list to get his head checked. Yes, Priest can teach 7th graders that a scientific theory that has been widely proven and accepted by some of the greatest biologists in the history of the world, is false, in just a matter of minutes. And I also have a bridge I would like to sell you. It's in this little place up north called Brooklyn.
If all it takes to be a certified evolution expert (or in Mastropaolo and Priest's case, certified evolution critic) is to have their educations, there's a TON of evolution experts out there.
I bet Furlip doesn't have Mastropaolo take any calls, or if they do, they'll be screened to eliminate anyone who has an iota of understanding of evolution. And Mastropaolo will pontificate and give bizarre and sweeping generalizations about stuff that he "claims" will disprove evolution. When in fact, many, if not all of his generalizations, if given enough scrutiny, don't stand up against the slightest criticism. In fact, most, if not all of his "evidence" folds like a cheap suit, with just a modicum of examination. But Mastropaolo will go largely uncontested, because the actual scientific explanation of what he claims as "evidence" doesn't lend itself well to 20 second explanations that will fit in between Furlip's stations commercials, and Furlip's own gushing suck-upness to Mastropaolo.
I'm also willing to bet there'll also be lots of "I didn't come from no ape!!!" callers.
Well guess what? If they had clue 1 about what evolution actually stated, they'd know that Darwin never said that we came from apes, either.
posted by bingmanch at 6:24 PM
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