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Racing Dinosaurs with Spoilers

Posted by michael on Friday January 17, 2003 @04:48AM from the airdam-optional dept.

PhilHibbs writes "The BBC is reporting a new theory - dinosaurs flapped their proto-wings to generate downforce for added traction when running up-hill. Another one to add to the many theories of the evolution of flight."

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Re:it's all lies by BCGlorfindel · 2003-01-17 07:00 · Score: 2, Informative

I'm not an expert on the second case, but I believe quite strongly that knowledge of the first case is compelling evidence for the second, especially in light of all the other piles of observational evidence and the historical record that is available.
Logically, evidence for the first case is not evidence for the second. It's a bit like any inductive proof, proving for n still leaves the proof for n+1. In evolution, we know micro-evolutionary changes through DNA mutations are possible. But that the process of mutations can be extended indefinitely back to a common ancestor is a seperate issue.

The only historical evidence available to support the second case is from the fossil record, which even www.talkorigins.org considers the 'weakest' proof for evolution. Our other observational evidence lies mostly towards 'mountains' of evidence for the first case, but only quite limited evidence for the second. Check www.talkorigins.org's list of evidences of macro-evolution for a decent listing.