Why I Don't Believe in Intelligent Design

[confuseddave]

I was commenting on a Guardian thread which was locked down (not sure if it's a time thing or just that the debate was getting out of hand), which is a pity because there's an interesting comment I wanted to reply to from someone called Wice:

it's nice to meet someone, who, starting as an ID proponent, finally accepted evolution as a better

Comments

[wolodymyr]

This is great; thank you for it.

If I can haul out my little soapbox for a moment, I was really struck by the part where you said that no-one had tried to prove evolution to you - it was assumed. I think that happens a lot, and I think your reaction is an understandable reaction - "If we're just assuming things a priori, I've got something else to assume, thank you very much."

I was mystified by all the people who are refusing to have their kids vaccinated, and then I heard that the average number of vaccinations these days is somewhere around 14. And I thought, so, the parents who are shocked at the jump in number, and are squeamish about letting others "hurt" their kids - are they being sat down and having the utility and significance of each shot explained to them? Or are they being treated in a way that suggests they're not worth explaining things to and will just have to obey? Because if it's the latter, I can easily see an anti-vaccination movement, born right there, out of the human-nature push-pull of "You have to do this and I won't explain why" met with "Well I did some online research Mr. Smarty-condescends-to-me-pants, and it turns out you can't make me."

Anyway, box returned to closet, this was a great post! And again, thank you.

[confuseddave]

Jesus, 14 separate jabs? I didn't know that. I don't remember how much we were given as kids... must have been four or five, including boosters.

Where are you from, incidentally?

(Apologies if I know you in person, I haven't twigged your username yet)

[wolodymyr]

The general increase in number of vaccinations: yeah, no-one mentions that when talking about the parents-vs-vaccination thing. At the same time, I don't think the debunking of the autism connection is getting anywhere near enough press, either.

I found you through neuroscience, and I'm from Los Angeles - where I was raised Catholic, and where I lapsed. I was a very sincere 2nd grader receiving Communion, though.

[confuseddave]

Yes, I figured this out after I asked by scanning your user info. ^_^ I'm surprised I attracted any readers from neuroscience, given I think I don't convey my opinions particularily well there. I'm kind of convinced everyone rolls their eyes whenever I post. This may be a general self esteem thing, every time I get a comment notification on this post I think it'll be someone saying "actually, you're a dick", too.

I only asked where you're from because I wondered if the vaccination regimen might be different between countries. I had a feeling that at least some of them were grouped together, but I'm not sure that's true...

And incidentally, as a regular reader of Ben Goldacre's Bad Science and Orac's Respectful Insolence, I come down pretty firmly pro-vaccine in principle, although I usually try to keep in mind that there are two sides to most stories.

[confuseddave]

I also half wondered if you were going to confess to be Wice, who this entire post was a glorified response to, although I didn't think it all that likely.