By now you may have seen the report that scientists have mapped the Neanderthal genome and discovered that they are our ancestors. (Yeah, like Ron Perlman wasn’t a dead giveaway?!?)
The way the media have reported this is that the separate species of humans and neanderthals interbred and this is proof of evolution. Darwin rules!! Hmmm? I dunno.
Seems to me (and to many scientists) that if some of our human ancestors were making cave babies with the neanderthals, the logical conclusion is that neanderthals were humans too.
Wired mag reports on the findings and says…
After years of anticipation, the Neanderthal genome has been sequenced. It’s not quite complete, but there’s enough for scientists to start comparing it with our own.
According to these first comparisons, humans and Neanderthals are practically identical at the protein level. Whatever our differences, they’re not in the composition of our building blocks.
However, even if the Neanderthal genome won’t show scientists what makes humans so special, there’s a consolation prize for the rest of us. Most people can likely trace some of their DNA to Neanderthals.
Turns out, Neanderthals is us and we is neanderthals.
Scientists are shocked at this amazing finding.
I hate to point out a small slightly embarrassing fact. There is one group of people who have been making just this very claim for some time. Yeah, them. (Shhhh, creationists)
I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’.
Look, for sure, even a broken clock is right twice a day. But that twice a day seems to be two times more a day than hardcore Darwinists.
I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’.
[Note – I have no fundamental problem with evolution, just evolutionists! So spare me combox defenses of evolution, mmmmkkk?]
May 19, 2010 at 10:54 am
Maybe man isn't responsible for warming the globe.
Maybe people aren't born gay.
Maybe we don't need to vaccinate 9 year old girls against HPV.
Maybe more money for schools won't improve education.
Maybe teenage girls don't need the pill to regulate their periods.
Could there be more things we are supposed to believe that just aren't true?
May 19, 2010 at 4:09 pm
There are still people in this world with brow-ridges; the signature of the Neanderthal. Growing up, it was just a given that modern humans descended/interbred with Neanderthals. In many European traditions, up until the very last century (before WW II) there was a marked caste-system where certain villages were looked down upon and people forbidden to marry into them. The reason is the genetic traits of such villages were consistent with those of Neanderthals. Even today, although for about 3 generations they have been desegregated, you can spot them pretty quickly.
May 19, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Wait, even if they could interbreed, doesnt this mean that if their offspring were firtile as well than the two parents were in fact of the same species? Unless my middle and high school biology textbooks were wrong…
May 19, 2010 at 9:00 pm
So, who did Cain and Seth marry in Genesis? Their sisters?
No… a Neanderthal!
May 19, 2010 at 11:28 pm
And I love to educate people about Neanderthals … their brains were 10% bigger than sapiens' brains. Ever notice how many brilliant scientists have uncontrollable huge eyebrows?
May 19, 2010 at 11:58 pm
@Anon 6:28~ That explains so much!
May 20, 2010 at 2:34 am
Maybe we are all just stupid for believing, and not thinking for ourselves.
Maybe people aren't born stupid.
Maybe we don't need to vaccinate anybody for any disease.
Maybe more money for idiots won't improve their education level.
Maybe teenage girls need to love and enjoy life.
Could there be more things we are supposed to believe that just aren't true?
May 21, 2010 at 2:42 am
Mockery gets you no where Helen…Go check out Fides et Ratio before you contrive a retort.
May 21, 2010 at 10:40 am
Helen is such a pretty name.
Don't be mad at me. All men are Neanderthals anyway. Aren't we.
May 28, 2010 at 12:10 am
Deep-brow'd Homer: 1
Bug-eyed snobs: 0