A few weeks ago, a friend asked if I would review an animated DVD called Unlocking the Mystery of Life. I really didn't want to; I felt and still do feel grossly under-qualified to discuss the issue that this DVD dealt with. However, almost begrudgingly, and because I knew how important the topic was, I agreed.
Unlocking the Mystery of Life is the story of contemporary scientists who are advancing a powerful, but controversial, idea — the theory of “intelligent design.” It is a theory based upon compelling biochemical evidence. Unlocking the Mystery of Life starts by describing Charles Darwin's trip to the Galapagos Islands and how it influenced him to write his On the Origin of Species describing natural selection as an explanation for evolution.
With interviews with scientists that question the traditional evolutionary thought, that are brought to life with state-of-the-art computer animation and microscopic photography of living systems. The viewer is transported into the interior of the living cell to explore systems and machines that bear the unmistakable hallmarks of design. Amazing animation footage of the bacterial flagellum provides the viewer with a detailed tour of "the most efficient machine in the universe."
This DVD, quotes both Darwin and Michael Behe, both of which were/are evolutionists. Behe wrote Darwin's Black Box, which was published in 1996. In 2005, Behe told the New Yorker,
He hadn’t meant to imply that irreducibly complex systems “by definition” cannot evolve gradually. He also says, “I quite agree that my argument against Darwinism does not add up to a logical proof.”
It may be necessary to view this DVD several times to get past being amazed by what the producers did and actually listen to the logic of the arguments being made. A teacher could spend months trying to convey how genes are transcribed and translated, a task achieved by the producers in minutes using three-dimensional computer-generated graphics. Anyone planning on using this DVD in biology classes should do their lecturing on transcription and translation first if they want students to be listening. After seeing it, students will have a firm grasp on the topic.
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Article comments
1 - Bliffle
I'm not going to view the DVD because your review has convinced me that it is an attempt to overcome science and good sense with flashy showbiz computer animation. I don't see any evidence of this DVD containing a well-reasoned support for ID, what ever IDs intrinsic merits may be.
2 - Kevin Surbaugh
not viewing the dvd is your choice, but your comments show just how closed minded many of those opposed to ID really are. They would rather claim there are no scientists that question evolution, rather then listening to and viewing the facts. Instead they make up their own conclusions or blindly follow someone else who opposes ID. For me I would rather be an independent thinker then blindly follow what the government (ie: schools) says is true without addressing any of the other concerns.
3 - Jim
IMHO when christian fundamentalists start with a certain belief and try frantically to build an argument around those beliefs in order to justify them, you end up with this movie.
you can watch it online by the way at free online documentaries, for anyone that's interested.
4 - Theo
The entire ID "argument" is based on a logical fallacy called the Burden of Proof. I feel embarrassed for anyone who falls for it. (I've seen the DVD too, btw.)
5 - Dr Dreadful
Theo, thanks for the link to your site. It's one of the few I've come across which looks at logical fallacies by taking examples from current affairs. I'll be stopping by frequently!
6 - John H Williams
I've seen UML and have have researched the ID Movement, such as the Disovery Institute, Phillip E Johnson, Stephen C Meyer et al who put it together, dishonestly presenting it as a scientific movement (which it isn't)containing compelling evidence (which it doesn't) of a Designer, who, it's been clear for almost a decade, is in fact the Christian God (more dishonesty). Those who made UML tried to hide its religious origin by concealing the true identity of the specialist religious film-making company that made it (Check out "Illustra Media). There's not one mention in the film of the Discovery Inst, nor is it acknowledged that almost all of those shown are creationists, senior fellows or fellows of the CSC, the Centre for Science and Culture, an arm of the Discovery Institute. Please do some disinterested research, then perhaps re-assess your original opinion, one which to me is naive, uninformed and simplistic.