All living species have evolved from “freaks” that lived in prior ones. Webster defines the “freak” as “…something very queer or unusual: A green leaf growing in the middle of a rose would be called a freak of nature.” Children are fascinated and adult jerks laugh when they see “freaks” of nature. However, the jerks would be surprised to learn that without chance environmental changes and “freaks” we humans would not be here (see my essays, “What Is A Human Being?” and “Evolution In A Nutshell: Survival Of The Fit Enough”).

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Like it or not, science marches onward. It takes no prisoners along the way, moving towards nowhere in particular-its only purpose being the satisfaction of mankind’s curiosities. Scientists have been systematically solving some of man’s oldest mysteries for thousands of years. The technology flowing from their solutions has allowed humans to move from caves and to walk on the moon. Most people think of science as a friend because it finds cures for disease and improves the quality of their lives. Others fear science because it sometimes solves man’s “glorious mysteries.” You know, the mysteries humans are not supposed to answer because that might make us less religious and, thus, less moral.

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On March 17, 2010, a permanent “Human Evolution Exhibit” opened in the Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. The remarkable exhibit tells the story of human evolution over the last six million years and demonstrates how modern humans (homo sapiens) and chimpanzees evolved from a common ancestor. Together with mountains of other scientific findings, the exhibit should convince ardent doubters of evolution-people who believe everything in the Bible is the literal word of God and, therefore, completely true. Even though their numbers are slowly declining, polls indicate a majority of Americans still hold this belief. Why did the curator of the Human Origins Exhibit, Rick Potts, say “…the exhibit can be considered compatible with religious perspectives?” Possibly to curry favor with, or deflect criticism from, this group.

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Breaking News: Scientists finally "settle" the question, “What killed the dinosaurs?”

I know it is impolite to say I told you so but I did tell you so already, in my book “Settled Science.” I’ll return to the dinosaurs’ demise question shortly—right after this. The book is my attempt to interpret and explain how most physicists and biologists think trillions of large and small natural events, some happening millions and/or billions of years apart, are still creating and changing our complex and immense universe filled with stars, planets, microbes, plants, animals, and…us.

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