Hi David,
Thanks for the review. That was interesting. I have never seen him live but have always been impressed how he handles himself (when I've seen him on video / TV etc.).

I'm wondering what Miller calls himself if not a theistic evolutionist. I'm assuming he's not comfortable with evolutionary creationist ... and probably not with your allusion to deism. Not sure what else there is.
Steve Martin | Homepage | 03.19.08 - 8:08 pm | #

David,
I enjoyed the review. It sounds like the science community conducts itself much better than the political community at speeches and seminars.

Did you get a chance to talk with Miller about "Expelled?"
Bill Nettles | 03.20.08 - 1:46 am | #

Thanks, Dave. Interesting that PZed is so little known.

Poor Dembski. Does nobody like him?
Bob O'H | Homepage | 03.20.08 - 2:16 am | #

Bill,

I did not ask him about Expelled--darn it I should have.
heddle | 03.20.08 - 6:47 am | #

Dave,

My university must be another planet, where I have heard Ken and many of the scientists who have devoted their time to explain how evolution works. funnily enough PZ is by far the most popular blogger on the subject among students. The sundry religious groups on campus spend most of their time these days on "reuttals" (what they call it) of PZ's assertions. Ken is a great sport and has never come across as uncomfortable about PZ's characterisation of him.

The other part that you touch on re the Protestant Reformation and individual interpretation, is bang on. In fact my friends who run what is arguably the best contemporary research program on the intellectual history of Hinduism have done a great deal of work on this subject. The next time I am in an argument over "secularism" and the "freedom of conscience" both Reformation ideas, I will direct my fellow debatoers to your blog.
truti | 03.24.08 - 3:58 pm | #

Um. The problem with the micro-choir is that even if it is small, it is vocal, and its influence is large and growing. Relatively few people have heard of PZ - but lots have heard of Dawkins, and whilst PZ and Dawkins and their ilk sustain each other, firing each other up to more and more strongly worded statements, and more preposterous stances on all sorts of things, the rest of the media world is generally following their agenda to a great extent. PZ doesn't need to have been heard of by the SciAm readership for his views to influence them.
Paul | Homepage | 03.27.08 - 6:59 am | #

Thanks for the review Heddle.
Angry Christian! | 04.04.08 - 1:27 pm | #