“Evolve” and “Express”: Two Subtle Yet Loaded Biological Words

Posted on by frankwmcarr

As you may know, I just started my Biology class, and while the focus right now is on the basics of biochemistry, I can state two words that are part and parcel of biology, yet may be overlooked when one reads biological materials.  These are “evolve” and “express.”

One, “express,” is what it means:  proteins encoded by the cell’s DNA.  While you should know about the basic scheme of DNA –> RNA –> Protein; for most people, the details aren’t so important.  RN A, by the way, is the “bridge” molecule carrying the instructions for the necessary proteins.  In a nutshell, DNA is proclaiming its intended form for that cell’s needs.  (Which is why proteins are important in the diet.)  Still, it a word that can be overlooked, so I feel like I needed to advise science students or mere science lovers about this.  (True scientists themselves probably already have it right.)

“Evolve” on the other hand is much weightier.  Probably, everyone knows about Charles Darwin, who, as he embarked on his ship (the Beagle),  identified some subtle differences among the finches on the Galapagos Islands.  This is the primary basis of the evolutionary theory.  (Of course, he had some far more innocent experiment on plant movements, and perhaps others, but that’s beside the point.Now while I personally am a young-earth believer, it’s not my place to pick on or quarrel with those who believe otherwise.

The only word, to creationists like me, that one should especially worry about is “evolve.”  Fortunately, the sentence in a secular book can be modified (in your head, that is; let’s not put tons of white-out to “restore” the book to less-than-pristine condition!).  This process simply removes or substitutes words suggesting evolution.  For instance:

“This animal evolved this structure/function…”

Instead, say it has this structure/function (i.e., as God created it)!

See how fun and easy creationist thinking is? And, boy, 6000-odd years is much more manipulative than a timescale of millions or billions of years.  And even when professors torture students with the gory details of evolution and/or an old earth, creationism keeps simplicity.

Conclusion:  Biology (and other sciences) can do without evolution, despite Theodosius Dobshansky’s claim on biology.

If “Anything Can Happen in Jersey”…

Posted on by frankwmcarr

nj-lottery

Does that mean that anything can’t happen in Pennsylvania (where I live)?  Or other state?  Or abroad?  And it says nothing about the quality of what is happening.

In case you don’t know, this is the New Jersey Lottery’s current slogan.  Now don’t get me wrong, New Jersey is a lovely state, especially in the southern parts.  After all, Philadelphia, PA is directly across the Delaware River from New Jersey.  Further north, closer to New York City, it gets somewhat of a bad reputation from New Yorkers.  Philadelphians and other nearby Pennsylvanians complain about their driving, but that’s about it.

Believe it or not,  New Jersey, like other mid-Atlantic areas like the DC Metro, is very wealthy.  Several counties are just as suburban to Philadelphia as the ones in Pennsylvania.  Also, on my side of the river, the 4 richest counties are actually the four in the Philadelphia suburban counties, namely, Chester, Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware (the county, not the state).  Most of Pennsylvania, while having much natural beauty (especially from its mountains) is where coal and steel reigned supreme.

Maybe this slogan is an arrogant and short-sighted way to appease New Jersey out of the trauma it has suffered after Superstorm Sandy.  In the summer of 2013, after Sandy’s 2012 ordeal, New Jersey claimed to be “stronger than the storm.”  Not only is it cocky, but it borders on blasphemy.  After all, God is in control, and we must trust his sovereign will.  Nobody is stronger than the Lord Almighty!

My conclusion:  Anything can happen anywhere.  Period.  And it doesn’t mean it’s good.  So to the powers that be in Trenton, think up a new slogan.

Collegiate Excitement

Posted on by frankwmcarr

As I enter my second year of CCP, we better be on the watch for more homework, speeches (in Public Speakng), lecturing, and best of all, lab work in our science classes, namely Biology and Chemistry.

While the assigned texts can stay at home, we will still need to take notes and and bring the appropriate lab manual on lab days.  (Public speaking does not have a textbook.)  By the way, the biology notes are a mere “fill-in-the-blank” approach in a booklet (which I bring to class).  I have mixed feelings about this organization.  It’s easy and already prepared, but waters down some of the freedom of a “true” notebook, and can be a little “mechanical” in terms of its study style.  Chemistry is taught by a very conventional professor uses no computer technology in his instruction.  We take real notes with him.

As far as transfer plans or even later courses, I really want to truly take things “one day at a time,” without merely vaunting it.  Therefore, blog posts, whether academic or otherwise, will focus chiefly on current issues, whether school or personal.  In the final analysis, no matter what college or career path I pursue, I’ll always be learning something.  After all, lifelong learning is part and parcel of who I am.