Evolutionary Scientists Test-Drive Spore, Gripe

ahab_2001 writes "The computer game Spore has been marketed partly as an experience that makes evolutionary biology come alive in a game setting. But does that claim hold water? To find out, John Bohannon, a correspondent for Science Magazine (writing as 'The Gonzo Scientist'), sat four card-carrying scientists, ranging from evolutionary biologist Niles Eldredge to JPL astrophysicist Miles Smith, down in front of a terminal to play the game. The upshot, says Bohannon: Spore flunks basic science, getting 'most of biology badly, needlessly, and often bizarrely wrong.'"

Comments

Re:Actually, having RTFA, I stand corrected

[db32]

Oh my God! Stop the presses! You mean that Evolution isn't "critters change"?! Seriously...blah blah blah whine whine whine Evolution vs ID. First and foremost the ID nonsense is about things being poof magically created whole and perfect, not gradual changes. Second...shock, awe, fear, run away...you mean a bunch of marketeers and game developers didn't have to write a doctorate thesis on evolution before comparing this game to evolution?!

It is a damned game. What next, "violent killers say Manslaughter isn't accurate at all, demand refund!". Maybe we could go with "Hookers say GTA isn't accurate and that fucking them will not improve your health". The comparison is very apt only for the most militant twat bent on making an issue out of it. I imagine most IDers that have the same militant behavior wouldn't even let this game in their front door in the first place. The article is nothing more than a game review with their own insinuations and agendas attached. "See See...they said it was evolution and want it to be taught as evolution and destroy science!" rather than "Yet another company overhyping their product with insane marketing claims trying to make a quick buck".

Brace yourselves you whiney little geeks. Star Trek...BAD SCIENCE. Star Wars...BAD SCIENCE. Star Gate...BAD SCIENCE. In fact...damn near every science fiction game, movie, and most books involve BAD SCIENCE. Even Ringworld had a long series of sequels trying to undo another piece of bad science from the previous books! THIS IS ENTERTAINMENT YOU JACKASSES! Go read a physics book, chemistry book, or biology book if you want real science and leave entertainment alone for fucks sake.