“As I once said to someone who questioned whether humans were really related to apes: “That question might have made sense when Darwin first came up with the hypothesis, but this is the twenty-first century. We can read the genes. Human beings and chimpanzees have 95% shared genetic material. It’s over.” ”
I don’t believe any scientist worth their lab-coat would ever use the phrase “It’s over”.
One of the central tenets of science is constant questioning and healthy skepticism. Statements which imply that ‘since it’s good enough to convince you it’s the end of the debate’ do not endear those of the scientific community to others.
I understand that leaving room for doubt and refusing to ever be 100% certain may be seen as a weakness that people can exploit, but these are the very principles that will make science stand the test of time and should not be casually discarded to remove short term hassle.
I will never let gut feeling blind me in the face of evidence and will always look at any new facts with an open mind—evolution or otherwise—and as a purveyor of such science I believe that it is your responsibility to do likewise.
I am quite surprised that more Karma functions do not track both the Up Votes and the Down Votes and display a running tally of each.
On a relative basis I would be far more interested in reading a post that has had 1,000 Up Votes and 999 Down Votes, than one which has had a single Up Vote.