Archaeoraptor Matter, 2021 Update

 

Each fossil record discovery has a unique story, and the Archaeoraptor matter is undoubtedly no exception. In November 1999, a feature article in National Geographic titled “Feathers for T. Rex? New Birdlike Fossils Are Missing Links In Dinosaur Evolution” played out to be one of the most spectacular debacles in the history of paleontology rivaling the Piltdown Man saga. The article alleged –

“A true missing link in the complex chain that connects dinosaurs to birds.”

Discovered in the northeastern Liaoning Province of China in 1997 by farmers (pictured left), the fossil appeared to have a bird’s body with a small, terrestrial dinosaur’s teeth and tail. The name given to the fossil, Archaeoraptor liaoningensis, is in recognition of its discovery site.

In Latin, “archaeo” means “ancient,” and “raptor” means “plunderer.” Science journalist Christopher Sloan, a four-time award winner of the National Science Teachers Association, authored the National Geographic magazine article. The fossil demonstrated a long, bony tail like that of dinosaurs with specialized shoulders and chest-like birds. The Archaeoraptor matter pointed to a “true missing link” between birds and terrestrial theropod dinosaurs.
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Darwin on Marx

 

Karl MarxDarwin had a significant influence on Karl Marx (pictured left). Struggle and survival are central to Darwin’s theory of evolution. The full title of The Origin is – On the Origin of Species by means of natural selection and the Survival of the Fittest in the Preservation of Favoured Races.

Darwin’s premise on survival and struggle in nature paralleled Karl Marx’s premise on social class struggle. Marx summarized the importance of “struggle” in the first line of chapter one of The Communist Manifesto, published in 1848 –

“The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.”

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Christ’s College to “Damnable Doctrine”

 

Christ's College Cambridge University

Leaving studies in medicine at the University of Edinburgh after the first year and fearing that his son would “ne’er do well,” his father [Robert Darwin], a practicing physician, enrolled Charles at Christ’s College (pictured left), University of Cambridge, in 1827.

His father reasoned that a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology would qualify Darwin to become financially independent as a Church of England clergyman—a guaranteed government professional with a comfortable income.

Clergy training in the Church of England during the Victorian era included developing the skills of a naturalist. Gaining insights into his wonders of creation was essential to appreciate and gain an understanding of His greatness, creativity, and power.
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