Stupid Quote of the Day: One mustn’t criticize what one doesn’t comprehend

And in this vein, Vox Day really needs to stop spewing nonsense about evolution and those who accept it:

I've also found it to be interesting how in physics - real science - there is very little, if any, of the defensive and irrational babbling often heard from true-believing TENS [Theory of Evolution/Natural Selection] advocates about how a lack of an alternative theory somehow justifies the continued use of a theory already known to be intrinsically flawed.

Except that the Theory of Evolution/Natural Selection is not intrinsically flawed. Actually, it doesn’t really have any problems in any way, shape or form. The reason why it’s quasi-universally accepted in the scientific community as a scientific fact, unlike what cranks like Vox will tell you, is that even after 150 years (and counting) of endless and rigorous testing, any and all evidence that has ever been uncovered, across all virtually fields of research, has only strengthened the Theory of Evolution rather than exposed any faults or weaknesses. In addition, the very fact that all of modern biology exists and has provided us with endless amounts of verifiable and demonstrable evidence regarding the functioning and mechanisms of our natural world is the ultimate proof that the Theory of Evolution is as sound as it can be and that it is, quite simply, a scientific reality. If there had ever been an “intrinsic flaw”, particularly any large one as in evolution denialists’ minds, then not only would it have been uncovered and its existence made known throughout the scientific community long ago, but any further established science built on top of Evolutionary Theory would have collapsed as well, as would any structure erected on a faulty foundation.

Vox also claims that Evolution advocates only support and defend this theory because there isn’t any “alternative theory”.

Um … duh.

Primo, there is no such thing as an “alternative theory”; in scientific parlance, such a thing is an oxymoron. There cannot be two rivaling theories. There can only be the current accepted theory, and any other lesser hypotheses that aren’t as well supported. Remember that in the scientific vernacular, “theory” is equal to “fact”. Evolution is a theory, just as there is the Theory of Gravity, the Germ Theory (that illness is caused by microscopic agents rather than by demons or curses or whatever), the Wave Theory of Light (that all visible light is determined by wavelength) – and so on. Basically put: a theory is any hypothesis that is testable and demonstrable with consistent results and that doesn’t have any credible evidence weighing against it. Notice how this definition is rather similar to that of “fact”? That’s because, scientifically speaking, facts and theories are the exact same thing.

There is no “alternative theory” to explain the diversity of life on Earth other than Evolutionary Theory, because this would mean that there were two perfectly-accepted scientific facts. Which would only be possible in alternate universes, not the same. I trust you see where this is going.

And now, to truly exemplify why I classify stuff like this under “Stupid Quotes” …

[…] the natural selection hypothesis has always been logic, not science. The fact that it is difficult and dangerous to paint grizzly bears pink in order to see if they breed less successfully doesn't change the fact that no one has ever tested the widespread assumption of why polar bears are white.

In response to that first sentence: uh … same thing. Science is the pragmatic application of logic to find answers and solutions. Sheesh. And for that second sentence … well, I may respond as soon as I get the slightest idea what in the name of bloody frakkin’ crackers it’s supposed to mean.