The Scientific Method For Beginners

Hi, Arphy.Welcome to EvC! True enough (from a certain perspective).The thing is that scientists aren't in it to tell a story. The Theory of Evolution is simply about the mechanisms that produce diversity, and you'll find that, although there are many different stories, all the stories are based on those mechanisms that we are uncovering.I happen to love reading the stories of evolution's history. But, these are not the basis of the Theory of Evolution: rather, ToE is the basis of these stories. So, our inability to agree with one another about the stories is not important in determining how well we understand the process.----- As has already been pointed out to you, these are not part of the Theory of Evolution. One thing that you should get used to is the concept that a scientific theory is not meant to define an entire philosophy or world view: it is only meant to explain a single set of related natural phenomena. Entire philosophies often do become attached to theories by some people, but don't confuse a philosophy (or a story) based on a theory with the theory itself.Evolution is only the change in biological populations over time due to mutation and natural selection. Everything else is just something that you, or others, associate with "evolutionism." But, science doesn't work in terms of "-isms" the way religion does: it only works in terms of explanations for specific phenomena.

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-Bluejay (a.k.a. Mantis, Thylacosmilus)Darwin loves you.

Hi, Arphy. Tell that to the creationist camp: the evolutionists have known this for years.You are correct that creationists accept natural selection.
You are not correct that creationists accept mutation.
One of the primary thrusts of creationist "research" has been the attempt to discredit the notion of beneficial mutations. You may personally accept mutation as a part of your personal views, but this is not representative of the creationist/IDist community at large.----- And, when most people see the name "Arphy," I imagine it conjures up the image of a little dog that says, "Arf! Arf!" However, your avatar is a cat. You should conform to the common perception and change your avatar to a dog.

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-Bluejay (a.k.a. Mantis, Thylacosmilus)Darwin loves you.

Hi, Arphy. No, I have not.----- But this is an entirely different view of evolution than the Theory of Evolution presents, which means you were wrong that the two are not in conflict.----- This is what's commonly referred to as a "parody argument."You said that we should change our terminology because of the popular viewpoint.
I said you should change your avatar because of the popular viewpoint.They are, in principle, the same argument. If you accept one, you should have no problem with the other.

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-Bluejay (a.k.a. Mantis, Thylacosmilus)Darwin loves you.