Four Stone Hearth #63: Bathing In The Warm Waters Of Ancient Knowledge @ Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub

Four Stone Hearth #63: Bathing in the warm waters of ancient knowledge Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub

For this edition of 4SH, it's off for a quick dip in Millard Fillmore's Bathtub (let's hope there's plenty of room), as it's time to read through another very good compilation of what's been attracting the attention of anthro-bloggers this past fortnight.

One item that caught my eye was the article on the debate surrounding altruism versus the selfish gene theories, over at Neuroanthropology, as well as a linked post to a rather ill-considered attack on the science establishment for refusing to countenance the teaching anything that refutes evolution as the only process by which all life, past and present on this planet, can be explained.

Going down the overly worn path of claiming that because there are gaps in the knowledge in the fossil record means that the overall theory of organic evolution must be in error, is to my mind merely attempting to lead people up the garden path, at the end of which little is to be found but a compost heap of old and recycled ideas, quietly festering away, and liable to spark into spontaneous combustion from time to time due to the amount of hot air issuing forth from the minds and mouths of creationsists and so-called intelligent designers, who are there gathered all around.

On the subject of fossils, there's a very nice piece at Zinjanthropus aka A Primate of Modern Aspect, which looks at the construction of the primate inner ear, with particular regard to the semicircular canal - the bigger it is, the more agile its owner is likely to be - obviously there's a great deal more detail in the actual post, so to check that and all the other contributions, just head over to the bathtub, an immerse yourself in some excellent writing.

The next edition of Four Stone Hearth will be hosted at Quiche Moraine on Wednesday, April 8th.