https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw By Adam Schmoetzer en-us 2021-03-19 17:49:34 UTC 2026-03-21 04:06:58 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f995.png adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1330928215 By Adam Schmoetzer]]> 2021-03-19 17:55:55 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1330928215 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1330935919 Description:
This video discusses alleged human footprints found alongside dinosaur tracks, which are used by Young Earth creationists as evidence that humans & dinosaurs once lived alongside each other. It ultimately concludes that this evidence does not withstand scrutiny.

Connection:
Several reasons for believing in the validity of the tracks are mentioned in the video. One is patternicity - because the imprints look like human footprints, it is assumed that this is what they actually are. Another is ideology - it is assumed that these tracks provide evidence for a specific worldview. This ties into the red flag of ideological support (where claims are assumed to be correct because it is ideologically expedient to believe so).]]> 2021-03-19 17:57:49 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1330935919 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1330986201 Description:
This video discusses other evidence that dinosaurs lived alongside humans, again concluding that it is insufficient.

Connection:
One reason for belief discussed in the video is perception & observation: people claim to see dinosaurs, but these sightings are invariably mistaken. One red flag mentioned is ancient wisdom. Because ancient people allegedly made artwork that superficially resembled dinosaurs, it is assumed that dinosaurs still exist.]]> 2021-03-19 18:10:31 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1330986201 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331021329 Description:
This TEDx Talk by Louisiana native Zack Kopplin discusses the state's efforts to undermine evidence-based science education by allowing Young Earth creationism to be taught in schools.

Connection:
One reason people support Young Earth creationism is ideology - people assume that a literal interpretation of Genesis is theologically superior to other interpretations. One red flag mentioned in the video is the appeal to authority (schoolteachers are assumed to be authority figures on the subjects they teach).]]> 2021-03-19 18:19:24 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331021329 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331042731 Description:
This article discusses the similarities between Young Earth creationism & conspiracy theories such as QAnon.

Connection:
In addition to the ideological support mentioned earlier, this article mentions alleged suppression by authorities as a line of argumentation used by creationists.]]> 2021-03-19 18:24:53 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331042731 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331079300 Description:
These are notes for a lecture by paleontologist Thomas Holtz about creationism in the United States.

Connection:
This article discusses & refutes several creationist arguments as fallacious. One example is irreducible complexity, which is an example of the unexplained (or, more accurately, personal incredulity). Another is the Gish Gallop, a form of proof by verbosity.]]> 2021-03-19 18:34:25 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331079300 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331102755 Description:
This list documents several notable Christians who believed that evolution was compatible with religion.

Connection:
This list serves as a rebuttal to the argument of ideological support (namely that creationism is morally superior to evolution because it follows the Bible).]]> 2021-03-19 18:40:45 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331102755 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331116144 Description:
This is a picture of Archaeopteryx, the so-called first bird (although it features several reptilian traits such as a long tail, clawed forelimbs & teeth).

Connection:
Creationists such as Wells (2000) emphasize the avian traits of this fossil while downplaying its reptilian traits (Gishlick, 2002). This is an example of confirmation bias. Indeed, new evidence (summarized by Paul 2002) demonstrates that several dinosaurs were actually more birdlike than Archaeopteryx.]]> 2021-03-19 18:44:09 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331116144 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331193304 Description:
This is an illustration of Piltdown Man, a hoax created with human & orangutan bones.

Connection:
Piltdown Man is a classic example of a red herring. Creationists use the hoax as evidence that all of evolution is false while ignoring the overwhelming quantity of evidence.]]> 2021-03-19 19:05:56 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331193304 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331205983 Description:
This graph from Nieminen & Mustonen (2014) demonstrates the presence of logical fallacies in creationist writings.

Connection:
One of the fallacies listed here that has been discussed in class is the appeal to authority. Another is the equivocation, a form of red herring.]]> 2021-03-19 19:09:53 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331205983 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331234283 1. I was surprised to learn just how fallacious creationist writings are.

2. I have an amateur interest in paleontology & zoology, so I am greatly concerned that the general public is accurately informed about them.

3. I was interested to read Nieminen & Mustonen's (2014) research on creationist fallacies since I am not aware of any other attempts to quantify this.

4. I will remember the list of important Christians who supported evolutionary theory.

5. I agree that medical pseudoscience is the most dangerous pseudoscience since it puts people at risk of illness & death. On the other hand, belief in astrology, feng shui, etc. can be innocuous in moderation.

6. I would pass on the importance of shaking off ideological blinders.]]> 2021-03-19 19:18:53 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331234283 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331261479 Gishlick, A. D. 2002. Icons of evolution? Why much of what Jonathan Wells writes about evolution is wrong.

Nieminen, P., and A. Mustonen. 2014. Argumentation and fallacies in creationist writings against evolutionary theory. Evolution: Education and Outreach 7(1): 11.

Paul, G. S. 2002. Dinosaurs of the air. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

Wells, J. 2000. Icons of evolution: science or myth?: why much of what we teach about evolution is wrong. Regnery, Washington, DC.]]> 2021-03-19 19:28:00 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1331261479 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1334921749 Description:
This video critically evaluates the evidence for alleged living dinosaurs in central Africa - most famously the sauropod mokele-mbembe, but also the ceratopsian emela-ntouka & stegosaur mbielu-mbielu-mbielu. It concludes that the evidence for these creatures is deficient.

Connection:
One of the red flags discussed in the video is confirmation bias: explorers only acknowledge evidence that allegedly supports these animals & disregards that which doesn't. Another is ideological support - Young Earth creationists have attempted to use these alleged dinosaurs to advance their agenda.]]> 2021-03-21 17:33:19 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1334921749 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1334944150 Description:
This video discusses the case of the ropen, an alleged pterosaur living in the south Pacific. As with other claims of living Mesozoic reptiles, the evidence is ultimately deemed insufficient.

Connection:
One reason for belief discussed in the video is the ideology of its proponents, which is related to ideological support - as with the mokele-mbembe, Young Earth creationists have attempted to use the ropen as evidence against evolution (even though, if valid, it would do no such thing). Another is perception & observation - vague eyewitness accounts are assumed to refer to the creature.]]> 2021-03-21 17:44:33 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1334944150 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1334964845 Description:
In this video, Vice correspondent David Choe discusses his experience looking for mokele-mbembe in central Africa, including a ritual that amusingly includes a very strong alcoholic beverage.

Connection:
One reason for belief in mokele-mbembe apparent in the video is the unexplained - no one can prove that a dinosaur doesn't live in the area. One red flag is ancient wisdom - old accounts of the creature are assumed to be valid.]]> 2021-03-21 17:54:48 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1334964845 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1334981830 Description:
This entry from The Skeptic's Dictionary critically evaluates the folklore surrounding the mokele-mbembe.

Connection:
One red flag mentioned in the article is the red herring - believers bring up the coelacanth as a similar case, but the two are not really comparable.]]> 2021-03-21 18:02:59 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1334981830 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1334992760 Description:
This article discusses the original African folklore surrounding the mokele-mbembe, noting similarities to other worldwide myths & bemoaning the extent to which Western interpretations have dominated.

Connection:
One reason for belief in mokele-mbembe is simplicity - it is simpler to assume that accounts of large unknown creatures refer to real animals rather than to mythical entities. A pertinent red flag is an ideological support for a particular worldview - as mentioned earlier, the stories have been hijacked by Young Earth creationists.]]> 2021-03-21 18:08:27 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1334992760 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1335005780 Description:
This article discusses the several unsuccessful expeditions to find mokele-mbembe.

Connection:
One reason for belief discussed in the article is an emotional connection - people want to believe so badly that they ignore the lack of evidence.]]> 2021-03-21 18:15:03 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1335005780 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1335018242 Description:
This picture contrasts descriptions of mokele-mbembe as a lethargic aquatic beast (left) with our modern understanding of sauropods as active terrestrial animals (right).

Connection:
The most relevant red flag is ancient wisdom: older depictions of sauropods are assumed to reflect a hypothetical living representative even though our knowledge of actual sauropod biology has advanced considerably over the last century.]]> 2021-03-21 18:21:14 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1335018242 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1335026535 Description:
This is a photograph of an alleged mokele-mbembe footprint, although Loxton & Prothero (2013) note that it does not resemble the tracks of any animal past or present.

Connection:
This is a classic example of patternicity - since the imprint superficially resembles a track, it is assumed that this what it is.]]> 2021-03-21 18:25:28 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1335026535 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1335031956 Description:
This is an infamously grainy aerial photograph of what is allegedly mokele-mbembe, although Naish (2017) notes that it is most likely a canoe.

Connection:
This is a clear example of perception & observation - an object is observed & assumed to be the creature even though alternative explanations are far more likely.]]> 2021-03-21 18:28:16 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1335031956 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1335041924 1. I was surprised to learn how Westernized the folklore surrounding mokele-mbembe has become.

2. As I have an amateur interest in paleontology, I find it more productive to educate people about real dinosaurs rather than uncritically accept fantasy stories.

3. I am interested in how our understanding of dinosaur biology has changed & its implications for cryptozoology.

4. I will remember to keep an eye out for red herrings such as the coelacanth.

5. I reiterate my conclusions from the first half of this presentation.

6. I would advise people to beware of those with duplicitous motives.]]> 2021-03-21 18:33:14 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1335041924 adamschmoetzer https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1335053551  Loxton D, Prothero D. R. 2013. Abominable science!: origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and other famous cryptids. Columbia University Press, New York.

Naish, D. 2017. Hunting Monsters. London: Acturus.]]> 2021-03-21 18:39:02 UTC https://padlet.com/adamschmoetzer/3swwek6ft843eevw/wish/1335053551