ID the Future Intelligent Design, Evolution, and Science Podcast
Topic

fossil

creatures-of-the-cambrian-period-underwater-scene-with-anomalocaris-opabinia-hallucigenia-pirania-and-dinomischus-3d-science-illustration-stockpack-adobe-stock
creatures of the Cambrian period, underwater scene with Anomalocaris, Opabinia, Hallucigenia, Pirania and Dinomischus (3d science illustration)
Type
post
Author
Casey Luskin
Date
July 10, 2023
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Why Intelligent Design Best Explains the Fossil Record Data

Casey Luskin
July 10, 2023
The fossil record reveals sudden explosions of new life forms followed by long periods of stasis. Is this evidence to be expected from a gradual Darwinian model? On this episode of ID The Future, host Eric Anderson talks with Casey Luskin on location at this year’s Conference on Engineering and Living Systems (CELS). Luskin discusses three different models of the fossil record - the gradual descent model, the punctuated equilibrium model, and the explosion model. He explains why gradual Darwinian models are built on a lack of data and cannot adequately explain the patterns revealed in the record. He also shows that the sudden appearance of complex organisms and long periods of non-change are exactly what we would expect to find from a design perspective. "These organisms...are designed to change within limits," says Luskin, "and that's why we see stasis." Indeed, the fossil record is consistent with the engineering-based theory of bounded adaptation, the idea that organisms are deeply designed, purposeful, and capable of adapting within their operating parameters. It's an intriguing new way to look at the history of life on earth. Says Luskin, "The only way you're going to be able to generate all the information needed to yield an organism that's alive and functional all at once is through an intelligent cause." Don't miss this intriguing conversation! Casey Luskin holds a PhD in Geology from the University of Johannesburg, where he specialized in paleomagnetism and the early plate tectonic history of South Africa. He serves as Associate Director of Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture. Want to dive deeper into the fascinating explosions of plant and animal life in the geologic record? Luskin recommends reading a chapter by Stephen C. Meyer and Gunter Bechly (Chapter 10) on the topic, in Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique. Available here: https://www.discovery.org/b/theistic-evolution/ Read More ›
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Type
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Author
Casey Luskin
Date
December 2, 2011
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Whales: New “Icon of Evolution” or a Challenge to Darwinian Theory?

Casey Luskin
December 2, 2011

On this episode of ID The Future, Casey Luskin discusses a recent fossil discovery that puts a kink in the evolutionary explanation of whales. Evolutionists claim that whales evolved from fully terrestrial mammals to fully aquatic ones in 5-10 million years. The new fossil find of a whale jaw bone shrinks that number considerably, making a shaky theory even shakier. Luskin explains that it’s highly unlikely that the number of changes needed for such a transformation could occur in such a small time period. “Mathematically speaking, it is not possible that an unguided Darwinian process could take a land mammal to a whale in such a short period of time.”

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Type
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Author
Casey Luskin
Date
August 11, 2010
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The Cambrian Explosion Just Got More Explosive

Casey Luskin
August 11, 2010

On this episode of ID the Future, Casey Luskin reports on the latest fossil finds showing evidence for Cephalopods appearing “in the geological blink of an eye.” What does this mean for Darwinian evolution? Tune in and find out.

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Type
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Author
Casey Luskin
Date
March 26, 2010
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Intelligent Design Predictions for the Fossil Record and “Junk” DNA

Casey Luskin
March 26, 2010

What does the fossil record tell us about intelligent design? And what does intelligent design predict when it comes to “junk”-DNA? On this episode of ID the Future, Casey Luskin explores more of intelligent design’s testable predictions in a recent talk he gave at the University of Arkansas.

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Type
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Author
Casey Luskin
Date
January 18, 2010
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Biomimetics, Peppered Moths, and Ardi: The Top Ten Darwin and Design Science Stories for 2009

Casey Luskin
January 18, 2010

You could call it the year of evolution hype gone bust. On this episode of ID the Future, Casey Luskin interviews Dennis Wagner, executive director of the Access Research Network about their Top Ten Darwin and Design Science News Stories for 2009. Listen in to this second installment as they discuss five stories for 2009, including the crumbling icons of evolution, peppered moths, the overhyped fossil, “Ardi,” and the positive case for design in the Cambrian explosion.

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Discovery Institute