Happy 200th Birthday, Mr. Darwin

[kpete]

It took me, 2 years to read "The Voyage Of The Beagle"...so much to ponder.
In his honor, let us resolve to evolve......kp



Charles Darwin's works go online
Darwin in 1881 (Darwin, F. and Seward, A. C. eds. 1903 - Cam Uni)
His theory on evolution has influenced many science disciplines
The complete works of one of history's greatest scientists, Charles Darwin, are being published online.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6064364.stm
more darwin:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7856157.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7819991.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups
/08/sci_nat_the_crabs_of_charles_darwin/img/1.jpg

Darwin Day is a global celebration of science and reason held on or around Feb. 12, the birthday anniversary of evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin. This year marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth.
http://www.darwinday.org/NEWlang/home/2009.php

Charles Darwin

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change."

“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”

“In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed”

“An American Monkey after getting drunk on Brandy would never touch it again, and thus is much wiser than most men”

“To kill an error is as good a service as, and sometimes even better than, the establishing of a new truth or fact”

[liberal N proud]

1. We need some Darwin Awards to celebrate

20 April 2008, Atlantic Ocean, Brazil) A Catholic priest recently ascended to heaven on a host of helium party balloons, paying homage to Lawn Chair Larry's aerial adventure. Larry, the beloved survivor of a Darwin-worthy fiasco, attached 45 helium weather balloons to his lawnchair, packed a picnic lunch, and cut the tether--but instead of drifting above the Los Angeles landscape as planned, he was rocketed into LAX air traffic lanes by the lift of the weather balloons. Astoundingly, Larry survived the flight.
Adelir Antonio, 51, was not so lucky.

His audacious attempt to set a world record for clustered balloon flight was intended to publicize his plan to build a spiritual rest stop for truckers. But, as truckers know, sitting for 19 hours in a lawn chair is not a trivial matter even in the comfort of your own backyard. The priest took numerous safety precautions, including wearing a survival suit, selecting a buoyant chair, and packing a satellite phone and a GPS. However, the late Adelir Antonio made a fatal mistake.

He did not know how to use the GPS.

The winds changed, as winds do, and he was blown inexorably toward open sea. He could have parachuted to safety while over land, but chose not to. When the voyager was perilously lost at sea, he prudently phoned for help--but rescuers were unable to determine his location, since he could not use his GPS. He struggled with the unit as the charge on the satellite phone dwindled.

Instead of a GPS, the priest let God be his guide, and God guided him straight to heaven. Bits of balloons began appearing on mountains and beaches. Ultimately the priest's body surfaced, confirming that he, like Elvis, had left the building.

The kicker? It's a Double Darwin. Catholic priests take vows of celibacy. Since they voluntarily remove themselves from the gene pool, the entire group earns a mass Darwin Award. Adelir Antonio wins twice over!

http://darwinawards.com/darwin/darwin2008-16.html




http://www.darwinawards.com/

[lumpy]

3. Enjoyed your post. Darwin lives on.

thanks

[pink-o]

2. Both Darwin and Lincoln were born Feb 12, 1809

Both visionary men, who perhaps were fighting clinical depression, thrust into extraordinary roles where their actions just shook the world and knocked it off its axis.

I'll leave the speculation to astrologers as to the parallel paths of their lives. It is interesting that the Brit 5 pound note has Darwin's pic, just as our 5 dollar bill shows Lincoln.

Darwin could have stayed in England and become a doctor like his father and brother, but he kinda was a slacker when it came to studies, so he took off on the Beagle and his life's voyage was set on course. Really a fascinating man, very traditional but unable to un-see the truth before his eyes. He didn't want to publish "Origin of the Species" for years, but finally was compelled to share his knowledge.

It's a bloody shame America won't be celebrating the life of this visionary man. Stupid fundies still have too much power in this country!

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Ten pound note, actually (nt)

[pink-o]

5. whoops! n/t