Texas Officially Makes The Universe Ageless

[Deff Gordon]

http://io9.com/5192678/texas-officia...iverse-ageless

How old is the universe? Scientists agree that the answer is somewhere around 14 billion years (give or take a few million)... unless you happen to be a student in the state of Texas.

The Texas Board of Education voted on Friday to remove the universe's age from the state's educational standards, used as source material for the state's school textbooks. According to Dan Quinn of the Texas Freedom Network, this decision is a backdoor entrance for creationists and fans of intelligent design:

The goal here was to make science more tentative and vague so that teachers have room to tell students, 'This is only one explanation and the scientists are not even sure about it themselves' – which is, of course, utter nonsense.

The decision was only one of many made on Friday, and sadly, only one of many that suggested an anti-science agenda (Other decisions included specific language requiring scientific explanations on evolution to be "evaluated" by students and teachers, ominously enough). Chair of the Board Don McLeroy testified to the reason why that may be the case at the meeting:

I disagree with these experts. Someone has got to stand up to experts.

That's right! Standing up to experts and facts is exactly what the chair of an educational board's job is supposed to be! Well, at least there's always the internet to fill in gaps in these kids' education...

[Coyotl]

haha. nice try, texas board of education. april foolz. yadda ydaa.

[johnny861]

They estimate the age of the universe based on techniques involving obvervation.

That's almost like saying, I know how old a tree is by counting its rings and somebody saying the age of the tree cannot be determined, because the rings correlating to years theory that the experts use is just one interpretation.

The experiment can be reproduced by growing a tree and doing core samples every year.

On another note, I think it's funny that creationists and intelligent design people would have a beef about the big bang when the book of Genesis practically illustrates the big bang from the perspective of a diety.

[DataBass]

I have made the argument before that living in a state with a poor education system is GREAT if you happen to be educated. It's much easier to stand out for job opportunities, better pay, etc. when you are surrounded by retards.

[Keith P]

oh for fucks sake...

[-m-]

I still think my idea of Texas changing its name to Facepalm is gold.

[MattM]

The book companies are probably cool with that.

[BigBallinColin]

this shit is ridiculous

[djetaine]

I used to care about this shit and now I really just dont give a damn. I'm going to teach my kids what is real and what is not. Beyond them, I don't really care.

[Sir Rudger]

just teach them truth!!

[vinnie97]

The hate for Creationism on this board never ceases to amaze. It's as if the Board of Education were seeking to deny the teaching of Evolution. Yes, we have carbon dating and means of measuring earthly things but the utmost confidence you all have in the present methods for defining the age of the universe is astonishing. It assumes the constants today have been so for the entirety of the last 14 billion years. That also requires a degree of faith.

[-m-]

Originally Posted by vinnie97

The hate for Creationism on this board never ceases to amaze. It's as if the Board of Education were seeking to deny the teaching of Evolution. Yes, we have carbon dating and means of measuring earthly things but the utmost confidence you all have in the present methods for defining the age of the universe is astonishing. It assumes the constants today have been so for the entirety of the last 14 billion years. That also requires a degree of faith.

The WMAP satellite, launched in 01, produced hard evidence of a pattern of microwave energy spanning the entire sky in 03 dating back from the Big Bang using mathematical methods based on how fast microwaves travel. The age of the universe, roughly 14 billion years, is indisputable. It's so funny to me that people like you think science is all based on a hunch when you clearly have no understanding of any of it whatsoever.

Creationism is not science, should not be taught as science and the B of E should all grow a pair and stand up to special interests groups who wish to teach it as such. I have no problem with it being taught in comparitive religion or philosophy classes, or even science classes in privately funded Christian schools. But it behooves the people in charge of public education to not allow it to be taught in science class on the tax payer's dime. This is not only an enormous embarrassment for our State but for the entire country and the field of education itself.

[Keith P]

Originally Posted by -m-

The WMAP satellite, launched in 01, produced hard evidence of a pattern of microwave energy spanning the entire sky in 03 dating back from the Big Bang using mathematical methods based on how fast microwaves travel. The age of the universe, roughly 14 billion years, is indisputable. It's so funny to me that people like you think science is all based on a hunch when you clearly have no understanding of any of it whatsoever.

Creationism is not science, should not be taught as science and the B of E should all grow a pair and stand up to special interests groups who wish to teach it as such. I have no problem with it being taught in comparitive religion or philosophy classes, or even science classes in privately funded Christian schools. But it behooves the people in charge of public education to not allow it to be taught in science class on the tax payer's dime. This is not only an enormous embarrassment for our State but for the entire country and the field of education itself.

Or you could just turn your radio on and listen to static.

OR are they really just Jesus transmissions? hmmmmm

[-m-]

Something tells me Vinnie only watches History Channel specials on when Jesus walked with the dinosaurs or evidence of there being an actual Ark of Noah.

[Keith P]

Originally Posted by -m-

Something tells me Vinnie only watches History Channel specials on when Jesus walked with the dinosaurs or evidence of there being an actual Ark of Noah.

Moses just had the Israelites dam the red sea u know. He hit a button with his staff that let the water rush back in on the egyptians.