The missing link: Worth the hype?

Dave, Tn — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:21:44 GMT

New York hyping a lie? I'm shocked I tell you, shocked.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Vicki, Greenville, S.C. — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:37:35 GMT

Hi Robert,

I'm glad that you wrote this segment. I watch alot of
the History Channel doumentaries. But they should be careful and do more research before they present in the way they're doing. I would have believed it. How could they even promote it as the "Mother of all monkies" and get away with it legally?
That may have happened with alot of other shows and we'll never know.
But keep us informed on matters like this. You're great at getting to the naked science of matters.

Vicki

P.S.

I've been reading more about the Hubble telescope and what will be it's replacement in 2012(?)
It may take some time for us to accept the Web telescope. But as someone wrote, it's not really replacing the Hubbble, but will be able to extend what Hubble was and is doing.
It's strange how people can become so fond of what we see as an "object."

Anyway, look forward to your other segments. You do a terrific job.

Vicki

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Kim, Irvine, CA — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:44:26 GMT

This is a joke right? Like humans evolved from this creature. Oh my! If you believe this I have swampland in Florida with you name on it.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Chris Stenger, Albuquerquen NM — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:55:28 GMT

Why would the paper in the scientific journal repeat something a marketing team dreamed up to promote a new documentary and book??? There's a difference between science and marketing and entertainment. Somebody has to pay for the science to be done in the first place, so now they try and recover their costs through books and video's. But behind all that hype the science must continue... It's a huge discovery be it for humans OR lemurs! :)

The missing link: Worth the hype?

David Walker, Knoxville, TN — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:11:44 GMT

pls give me a break, what they still have failed to produce is a true transitional fossil of any kind let alone a humanoid one. for all of sciences great strides this is one that still proves we are no smarter than dinosaurs.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

James Campa, Las Vegas, Nevada — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:12:22 GMT

I agree that at this time there is a propensity to hype this potential discovery. Let true science prevail and let honest discussion and examination of the data. I am saddended at some in the science community that are more concerned with fame that they allow for bad science to prevail. But, even worse to allow for a hoax to receive legitimacy. Again, let true science prevail and the magnitiude of this discovery will reveal itself.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Ed American Fork Utah — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:14:31 GMT

I Think that this is just like all the rest of the
missing links that have been found! rediculous
Get a life
Ed

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Senator man, Atlanta, GA — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:22:09 GMT

This is the second article I read about the "Missing Link" fossil. This article was better than the first, but both make assumptions. I am a scientist in the Biotech field. I personally find this to be a lot of hype and mostly one man trying to draw attention to create fame and fortune for himself. Missing Link? Yep, the link connecting the fossil to man is missing.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

John, So. Cal. — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:27:10 GMT

Genesis= "Let us create man in our image" So, we are not human?
This story holds no water.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mike, Israel — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:31:14 GMT

This is such a joke to academia. Science should be based upon repeatable data, otherwise it is only theory. Theory and true science are not the same. True scientific findings remain true and consistent throughout time (ie. physics laws), but theories can be disproved. This is one isolated fossil, that people are trying to build an entire theory around. Maybe we should look for science in the circus side show exhibits.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

James B. Evans — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:53:08 GMT

Just what we need! More fuel for the wing nuts.
A conspiracy for the religious right and origin proclamations by the scientists. The wing nuts can't deal with Ida being "left behind". While scientists proclaim her as the "mother" of all mothers. Oh man, I can't wait.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Jane D — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:57:19 GMT

A bit overblown, definately when compared to Lucy, but still interesting. Evolutions of humans at later levels is much better documented then farther back in history, so maybe discoveries like these will shed more light on the past.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mike Scarano, Orlando, Fl — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:19:28 GMT

These people are fanatics always looking to deny creation. If this is what they believe thats fine but don't push it in public schools because there is no proof.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Kurt Simpson, New York, NY — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:30:18 GMT

It mentioned Lucy........... Lucy has been scientifically proven to be a fraud, so why mention it as if it holds any ground? And how reliable is an object that was bought in secret, for all we know, this could be the work of a really good team of fanatical darwinists. Personally, I think someone just wants fame and fortune from a lie, thats what happened with Lucy.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Ricky, Salem, WI — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:47:32 GMT

Hype is right. Another chance for the believers in this evolution fairytale to rattle their cages and pretend that people of faith are backwards. I pity them on judgment day.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Terry, Oregon — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:49:54 GMT

Just because there is some relative link to Monkeys and Apes, just means there is a possible link to them only, not Humans.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Greg — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:52:26 GMT

This is a really good find that will change the text books for anthropologist. But will it be the end all for evolutionisim vs creationsisim? Not a chance! In fact, it does take many findings of the same creature to make it more fact than fiction. Even when Lucy was found, it took a while to find other fossils to classify her into her group. So, it will be big if we find more of the same. But a long way to go to complete the evolutionary cycle of homo sapians

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Greg — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:52:51 GMT

This is a really good find that will change the text books for anthropologist. But will it be the end all for evolutionism vs creationism? Not a chance! In fact, it does take many findings of the same creature to make it more fact than fiction. Even when Lucy was found, it took a while to find other fossils to classify her into her group. So, it will be big if we find more of the same. But a long way to go to complete the evolutionary cycle of homo sapians

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mike, Las Vegas, Nevada — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:18:25 GMT

Although there are still many more questions to be answered, what we do know is that Evolution is a Fact. However, many Homo sapiens do not beleive that we evolved. Fossils like Ida are important because they bring about conversation, and get people thinking.

-An American Archaeologist

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Cheryl R. Dean St Louis, Missouri — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:27:55 GMT

-If we evolved from a single cell organisms, or we evolved from fish or birds or monkeys, Then will you please answer this question If we EVOLVED "FROM " them then why are there still fish and birds and monkeys, why arent we all humans? You cannot answer this, because there is a creator and we have over 600,000 pages of DNA in our cells, we have not evolved from them or they would not be here now because they would all be humans!! There is a God. There is no doubt in my mind I am a living testimony to to our Living God. End of debate!!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Tim — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:50:09 GMT

As a man who has personally taken an interest in this field of academia, I can certainly say that there is too huge a disconnect between this fossil(s) and the Lucy specimen which is believed to be 4 to 6 million years old. Although some minor pieces of primates exist back further than Lucy, they are incomplete. This so-called 'missing link' has not bridged a 39 million year gap.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

John, Raleigh NC — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:59:24 GMT

Complete hype. That was the admitted intention of this event. Most of us are saying Ho-Hum. Nothing really new here.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mitch, Marshfield, MO — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:07 GMT

Calling it a "missing link" or a "transitional fossil" is wrong--scientists use no such terms. Calling it "THE missing link" is improper science and overweening hype.

It is an interesting fossil, and perhaps is ancestral to all us monkeys. But it isn't the first fossil that is ancestral to all us humans, and nothing else, if it is eight times older than the split between us humans and the chimps.

The hype is bad science, and gives ammunition to the folks who are confused about the process of evolution. Evolution is a scientific fact of life, but this kind of circus show makes it look like the wild guesses that too many folks believe it is.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Chris S, Chino, California — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:15:12 GMT

To SA man: if you are a Biotech scientist, as you claim to be, surely you would know of the theory of punctuated equilibrium? Just because there is no fossil means that a "gap" is unexplainable. If youu are what you claim you to be, you should know that simply jumping at something is not the responsible thing to do. Plus, would you say the same of Einstein, or Oppenheimer, or Feynman? They were just rabblerousers looking for fame?

To John: Why biblical literalism? How does the story not hold water? Because it doesn't specifically say in the Bible?

If you look at that same statement as a metaphor, it means more along the lines of free will. That is what would differentiate us from the creature whose fossils have just been discovered. Therefore, your logical jump is altogether illogical and baseless.

To Mike: So, a theory has no way of proving itself? Does that mean that every theory, from Relativity to Evolution to Gravity itself, must therefore be discounted as science because they are merely theories? What of theorems?

To claim that "true science" and theory are not the same implies a lack of understanding about the relationship the two share. Fact is something observable. Theory is extrapolating on those facts, using those facts to try and establish a pattern. Sure, there are missteps (cold fusion and whatnot), but theories are self correcting and, if there is enough evidence to topple it in the manner of the Geo-centric universe, so be it. But the theory of evolution just not simply focus on this one fossil. This fossil was simply a large gaping hole in our genetic history that may just be filled now. It's far more important that just some "sasquatch" style missing link.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Walter Coxe, Alberta, Canada — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:21:33 GMT

Indeed this is very suspect...found in 1983 and just being brought to light now? Evolution is the fairy tale that adults have now come to believe.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Calvin Roberson, Costa Mesa, Cali — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:34:13 GMT

Are you kidin me???? how did this piece ever get media attention in the first place. Of course the link or whatever you wanta call it, has no similence to humans.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Charles Bujan, Port Aransas, Texas — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:37:53 GMT

The "missing link" is absolutely ridiculous. I find the suggestion that I came from a lizard to be totally
ludicrous. Just as ludicrous as saying I came from a fish or ape. I might start to believe some of this nonsense if someone would show me (right now - in the present) a human evolving into something else!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Pat Parker, Cleveland OH — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:46:23 GMT

God's image is in the spirit of human beings, not in the look of them. Poor little Ida never got to find out.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Jerry Garcia, Corvallis Oregon — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:56:58 GMT

I'm pretty sure that this is actually my rottweiler i buried about 20 years ago, a lot of the same features...

The more "science" attempts to make this kind of stuff credible, the less credible the "scientists" become.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Nick, Indiana — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:16:06 GMT

I'm a Master's student of Geology and Paleontology, working on the evolutionary trends and biostratigraphy of Cretaceous foraminifera. For me to here laypeople say there is no such thing as transitional fossils is absolutely RIDICULOUS. I have literally hundreds of specimens proving that.

No one is saying that this is the missing link between monkeys and humans! They are saying its a transitional form between PROSIMIANS (Lemur lineage) and SIMIANS (Monkey-Ape lineage), since it displayes morphological characteristics of both lineages. Since hominoids (Australopithenes) and eventially hominids (Homo erectus, sapiens, aka Humans) evolved from a great ape ancestor, that means that by extension, we share a common ancestor with Ida. No one is doubting that this find is a very primitive simian. The scientific controversy is whether this specimen represents a DIRECT ancestor to the Moneky-Ape lineage, or whether is is simply a very early offshoot, aka an evolutionary dead end.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Annemarie Kucner, Scottsdale AZ — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:21:51 GMT

Wow… the fossil’s preservation is amazing! You could see far more then the skeletal structure. As for this being THE missing link I can not say.
It does amaze me however how many antiquated posters you still have. Humans are still evolving, some of us faster then others. Perhaps the Neanderthal DNA is more dominant in some then the Homo Saipan.
Every thing on this planet and in the universe is a result of some form of evolution and who’s to say that that is not what God set in motion so many billions of years ago.
The beauty and complexity of evolution is greater then any biblical mythology.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Vicki, Greenville, S.C. — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:29:20 GMT

P.S.

Hi again, Mr. Bazell. I think that we're evoloving just by having a healthy debate.That's where real progress lies, in expanding our minds and accepting the fact there are shades of gray.
As I stated in my earlier post to you,the History Channel is jumping the gun. And how can anyone get away with this legally?
Has anyone ever heard of the God particle? My personaly belief is that there is evolution and that there is pure energy that created every living thing.

Why is there alway extreme viewpoints and no shades of gray?
Extremism aways comes back to bite us in the butt.

Vicki

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Annemarie Kucner, Scottsdale AZ — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:30:52 GMT

Wow… the fossil’s preservation is amazing! You could see far more then the skeletal structure. As for this being THE missing link I can not say.
Every thing on this planet and in the universe is a result of some form of evolution and who’s to say that that is not what God set in motion so many billions of years ago.
The beauty and complexity of evolution is greater then any biblical mythology.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Brian — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:37:04 GMT

I want to see evolution in action. Someone answer me this. If animals evolve to better adapt to hunt, or evade preditors or survive in a changing environment; How do they change into the proper creature when all of the other factors are changing as well? Evolution happens so slowly that it takes generations for it to happen. How does that work? If a male of a spieces suddenly gets an evolving gene and mates with a female that also has an evolving gene that differs from its own which one wins? Also, most animals mate with the strongest and most suited, why would it want to mate with somthing that is different that its self?

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Eric — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:45:42 GMT

Charles Bujean, you did come from the ancestor of a fish. "show me (right now - in the present) a human evolving into something else!"

Through genetics, we know that all humans on the planet right now are related to a single tribe that originated in Africa about 100,000 years ago. Through DNA research (in particular y-DNA Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms), this is known with 100% certainty. Now, do people on each of the continents looks the same? For example, do Africans, Asians, and Caucasians look the same? Obviously, they do not. Caucasians are lighter colored, Asians are generally shorter, etc. It is no coincidence that these differences occur on different continents. Environment is what drives evolution. People in geographically isolated areas have evolved differently... and right here and right now, people have different physical characteristics.

BTW, you can test your own DNA anonymously through National Geographic web site and they can tell you your ancient lineage and migratory route from the horn of Africa, where Homo sapiens became a separate species (genetically incapable of breeding with other species).

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Nick — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:45:49 GMT

Human Evolution is a scientific fact. For all you doubters just compare the embryo of a human being, an ape, a chicken, etc., they all look remarkably the SAME......... wonder why that is?????

Tim White is great, I had for anthropology 101 at Cal.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Vicki, Greenville, S.C. — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:07:31 GMT

P.S.S.

My third comment. Hopefully one will get posted.

I think we have along way to go before we go from Lucy
to this fossil.

As far as evolution not existing:
When I was younger some people believed that we never really landed on the moon,that the "landing" took place at a studio lot. And then someone needed to come with a video that looked as if an alien was being disected by military drs.

Again, two good axamples of extremes. We did land on the moon. The Hubble has estimated that Earth is appx. 13.7 billion yrs.old, but I doubt that anyone has disected an alien.

The proof is there. We are just one link away from chimps.But no, it's rediculous for those scientists to make way for everyone who doesn't believe in evolution. They don't know how far they (scientists of latest fossil)are setting us back,having to explain everything over again.

Please look at the photos from the Hubble. You can really see the artwork of science, nature, God.

Vicki

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Jim 29 Palms Cal — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:07:43 GMT

47 million years old?? Really? I just have one question? What dating procedures did these evolutionary scientist use to come up with that number? I didn't know we had the technology to date things that old. That's it!, Geologic colum, The faith filled colum that can't really seem to be found anywhere except the public school text books. Is it possible that this is just a extinct monkey that die, and fossilized?

I don't see how this fossil could be my great great Grandpa. Am I looking at it wrong? Help, a concerned biblical creationist.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Keiko — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:35:17 GMT

I'll wait for more research and more specimens before I believe this is the most important fossil find, like, EVER. Lucy is by far the most important link we have in the hominin fossil record. However, if 'Ida' proves to be related to even Notharctus it will still be a colossal find. As for the guy who finds it "ludicrous" that we have similar ancestors to apes, I have to tell you pal, the creation of the world in six days and six billion people coming from two nudists talking to a snake is a pretty wacky idea as well.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Keiko — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:35:32 GMT

The missing link: Worth the hype?

george washington,Seattle,Washington — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:37:38 GMT

you guys are truly amazing someone finds an amazing fossil and you crap all over it. your all just looking to shoot something out of the sky arn't you? the guy who wanted to see someone evolve well evolve out of being someone so synical geez

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Kevin, Long Island, NY — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:41:10 GMT

Annemarie it was your last few lines which really touched me. The fact of the matter is science explains how, not necessarily why. Why is for theology and philosophy.

But it is attacking this fossil as a link which represents an attack on all science. Evolution yes is a theory, just like general relativity. Each has so far proven to be up to the challenge of explaining what it is we observe in nature. Evolution explains derived traits (notice how mammals produce milk?) and the fossil record as best as we can see. Just as general relativity explains why GPS satellites need to be set backward a few seconds so they coincide with our clocks due to their speed and orbit above earth. Yet I would be surprised if anyone would challenge that theory because of how accurately it explains the natural world (which evolution, as far as we can tell, does!).

Do I believe this story is over-hyped? Like many stories in the news, very much so. However it seems the outpouring against it, like many other evolution-backing stories and evidence, is just as overblown.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Michael Judd, Jacksonville, Florida — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:42:36 GMT

this is truly amazing how synical you all are and your all high and mighty to, I studyed at harvard I am into biblioligy, I belive in creation, well if you wanna belive in GOD someone you have never seen or even had proof that he existed but not proof that's placed right in front of you then think about how truly stupid YOU REALLY MUST BE mister harvard and yale and brown and person who studies apes and creation.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Gary Jones, Osceola, Iowa — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:45:25 GMT

I disagree with the comment that science and theory are not the same. There must be theory to ignite science. You cannot you apply science without question, which translates to theorum. Chicken or the egg?

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Rick, Va — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:57:31 GMT

Science should be letting evidence speak for itself not trying to prove your theory with dating techniques that cannot be proven or any present source of proof.Is their any proof that"Ida" is the age they say? Can tell what something had for lunch 47 million years ago? Yea right!Someone is seeing dollar signs, thats all.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Tamara Powell, Mauckport , Indiana — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:20:09 GMT

What a bunch of bunk. I think it will take a lot more research then they have given it. Science is not asumption. I have no trouble putting Creation and Evolution together because after all God has all the time in the world and can do it any way he wants but this is really jumping the gun.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Kyle Thomas, Watertown, WI — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:41:32 GMT

-* This is another pathetic excuse for mankind to deny the existance of there being a higher being (God) and/or creation by God.
-* Evolution is a religion and theory, therefore who can prove it? If there be a man who was here on Earth during the "big boom" let him come forward and prove it.
-* Ya scientists weren't here during the "big boom" so they can't prove it by looking at dirt and fossils...
-* All of the "missing links" have been hoaxes. For example the Piltdown Man was a jaw bone of a oragutan and it was combined with a human head... (probably ment to be a joke or prank to other scientists?)
-* This is my oppinion and some facts have come along with it. If I have attacked anything it is this "missing link." - Believe what you want and I will do the same.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Joe Schmoe, Naperville, IL — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:59:56 GMT

This fossil, and indeed the very concept of a "missing link" is over-hyped. Evolution is a transitional process; there will never be just one species linking us to apes. Besides, this particular species, if I'm reading the article correctly, links prosimians and simians. To consider this a missing link would be analogous to considering Cynognathus (an early therapsid) a missing link. While it is part of a family that bridges mammals and reptiles, no one goes around calling it a missing link between humans and reptiles. It's too far removed, just as this fossil is.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Teri Koury — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:00:17 GMT

What a crock! No one can say how old anything is that still lives. Where are the eye witnesses? Some people believe anything. Oh yeah, and don't forget the financial backing that comes with even older dated fossils. Some people have too much time on their hands.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Lily, Honolulu, HI — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:05:00 GMT

No such thing as evolution. Remember the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics: Everything is in decay. Also, mutations when they happen are usually dangerous and destructive. Man did not come from anything. Man was created by God. Earth only 10,000 or so years old, not millions, etc. Grand Canyon formed by The Great Flood (Noah's time), that is why there are all kinds of fossils in it's walls!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Eag, Boston, Mass. — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:18:56 GMT

To refute this fossil as not evidence of evolution, or to claim that human life was spurned by the thought of a diety on the instant of it's thought speaks of pure fanatcism. You claim science is a repeatable and there-fore unreffutable art yet deny the thousands of "well choreographed" experiemtns proven so wrong in the past 40years. This fossil is an amazing find, to see parralels, whether they are unreffutable as of yet or not, is beautiful. The fact some people are going to get rich is no reason to refute their claim unless YOU yourselves who dare to refute it can so so with more then a snide snub you are not part of the clique so respected. Science is far more then sitting in a labrotory, science in it's earleist form was (and still is) high adventure, try getting out of the classroom once and awhile. I look forward to the history of this find and the future it may well represent and unlock for all good, and, evil it may.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Kevin Schell, Fort Mill, SC — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:18:59 GMT

I would like to know how the scientists dated this fossil to 47 millon years ago. Carbon 14 dting is not valid. Counting tree rings is absurd. Counting layers of sedimentation on top of this find? It was found in a crater. Even if in a sedimentary rock, how many layers were there when God first created the earth? I do not believe this find is nything more than a "cat, dog, lemur or whathaveyou" preserved in rock for a period of time long enough to fossilize.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Eag, Boston, Mass. — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:23:11 GMT

I am deligthed to see some scientists still understanding english usage, another 'link' discovered (even if yet the whole chain is not readily available for perusal and opinion). I look forward to more pieces of the puzzle comming to light. "Show me the links and I'll buy the chain."

The missing link: Worth the hype?

twilliams, haleiwa, HI — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:38:25 GMT

Men would rather worship the creature rather than the creator!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

John Dedrick, Sunnyside, Wash — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:46:16 GMT

Why are people so hunge-up or which is the truth evolution or creation if there was some great creator who created the whole univers with all the planits and stars, all the plants and animals, which would take in humans, HE created them all out of the same matirals, ie the same eliments. If you read the Bible every think comes from the dust of the of the earth. If you have ever study any scince all plants and animals contain mostly the same basic eliments some have some eliments that are the same but all the eliments are not always the same there are many difference as to how much each has and how those eliments are grouped. All aminal and humans have the same basic genetic materals but they are not all in the arangement. It is the arangement of the genetic eliments that make a human and all rest have thier body shape. The embros of all animals have the same basic shapes with in the first few day of devolpment. Over time as they start to grow thier shapes change so they all look different from each other but yet they are still very much the same as each other. All animals inclouding humans have body hair, they all have bones, they all have blood and that blood is always red, they all eat some type of food, they all have to drink, all creat new life, they all have to get ride of the food that thier bodys could not use and they all die when thier body are old. After death their bodies all decompose back to the same materials they started from. So why does there have to be and either or between creation and evolation GOD could have done them both. He created every thing and over time every thing changes

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Nerio M. Bungcaras, Philippines, sia-Pacific — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:08:56 GMT

This discovery is just trying to let people go astray from the binblical teachings which God hs revealed to mankind. Even a thousand discoveries to come could'nt change the reality about creation that had been tried by many scientists to distort the fact about the exixtence of a supreme creation.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Pete XS, Easton, PA — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:09:59 GMT

The amount of Creationist criticism here is daunting. Let me first say that "theories" are not just "theories" in science, they are not made up mumbo-jumpo conjured from thin air. Theories are and always have been based on evidence, and until evidence surfaces that specifically disputes the theory, theories are considered fact in the scientific world.

What I find much more plausible is that people are afraid to admit that they did indeed evolve from primates, and from lizards before that, and from fish before that. The inability to comprehend such a huge timescale and countless generations required for evolution make people run to conjecture and seek importance in fairy tales.

You don't need discrete "links" between this fossil and Lucy. Some simple logical and rational thinking will lead you to see how this fossil contains many primitive functions of our own bodies. Some people also don't seem to understand how pain staking it is to find fossils. They think we can just dig a certain depth into the ground and find them. There are a multitude of situations that need to exist for a fossil to be preserved for millions upon millions of years.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Toasterbot, Atlanitis — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:10:23 GMT

People spouting nonsense about 'show me teh evidence' need to spend ten minutes reading up on evolution. It is basically considered fact...we don't understand it completely, but there is no doubt it is there.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

nikki, the southern hemisphere — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:42:56 GMT

Yeah, I don't think this can be considered a missing link til there's more proof. Anyone remember the Piltdown man and the Nebraska man? But it's still amazing, and the preservation wows me.
To reply to the poster above me, humans are actually evolving less now, since we have more power to control our surrounds. And the H. sapien DNA will always be more dominant than the Neanderthalensis in humans.
But this "missing link" story is interesting, I shall keep reading about it.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

DebBee, New York Landing, Idaho — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:44:45 GMT

Once again here we are in denial. Our Creator really must just shake His head when He sees His created man continue in this evolution theory. 43 million years is in no way provable...this is a young earth and if we would just stop the denial we would see the evidences of how young our earth is and that God created all.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

leftyofcourse — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:48:19 GMT

Please, The guy is just trying to recoop his purchase of an old find. hogwash

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Thomas. Rogers, ND — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:34:46 GMT

Neurotic primates on a spinning dirtball to nowhere, doesn't that make us special. I know, lets pretend each is better than the other!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Liz — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:52:15 GMT

Come on, it's a lemur with opposable thumbs. That alone speaks volumes and is clearly visible!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Martin, Oslo, Norway — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:03:19 GMT

If it looks like a lemur, walks like a lemur and sounds like a lemur (it most certainly didn't sound like a human), well then it is a lemur!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemur

What's more likely? Do any of you actually believe that it shed its tail and fur, it climbed down from the trees and walked on two feet, its jaw shrank and it started using language?! No this primate stayed in the trees and is the first reported species of lemur, tarsier or possibly a bush baby.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Henrik, europe — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:46:55 GMT

haha so many of you "experts" doesnt even know what evolution is, calling it "random" etc.
The scientist themselves doesnt promote this as "The" missing link, as there is not one, but many links in a gradual evolution.
stop with the "god must have something to do with this, cause i sure dont have a clue!" -well some have more clue than you, and thank nature for that!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Pat Dalton — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:08:42 GMT

A find of this potential can answer as many questions as it creates. I'll wait to cast my judgement after weighing the evidence the documentary brings. To do otherwise makes a monkey's uncle out of us all.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Robert — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:17:22 GMT

Well maybe there is a little excessive hype but I don't think that's a bad thing. It gets the general public interested in science instead of worrying about who's divorcing who in Hollywood.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mark, Worcester, UK — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:17:51 GMT

Wow finally some sense on this message board annemarie.

"Just as ludicrous as saying I came from a fish or ape"
Yeah? as ludicrous as putting 2 of every animal on a giant arch the size of a jumbo jet built by a frail old man?

"Theory and true science are not the same." What are you on about? What is true science? Something you've made up thats what. Read a book, understand theory, then comment.

It's an amazing find, the most complete transitional species fossil we have to date.
People dont understand that the chances of bones of an animal millions of years old being preserved are remote to say the least. So yes, it is worth the hype.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Heinrich Peter, Potch — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:18:22 GMT

Whether you believe in evolution or not: Does any fossil tell you how it's parents looked like? Or how it's children looked like? Certainly not. Make assumptions if it pleases you, but it is not science and it doesn't prove anything, except that an animal died.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

jamie whiteoak hervey bay queensland — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:22:41 GMT

i dont believe this will be enough to silence creationism nuts i am a total supporter of darwinism everything evolves we are getting stronger taller smarter soon enough science will prove that god is a figment of too many peoples imagination (god an imaginary friend for adults lol)

The missing link: Worth the hype?

AJB, Atlanta Georgia — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:55:16 GMT

Missing Link....again? "Lucy" was to be the missing link, but it was proved that "Lucy" was a bust, and was in fact a fraud on the part of the archeologists...and yet that propaganda is in the textbooks as we speak almost 20 years after it has been proved a hoax. Now we come to a "95%" complete link. Ok..let's dissect this Scientifically:
1) Missing link theory: What do you call a fish that evolves lungs? Dead. it would drown.
2) If over 47 Million years you have a 95% complete specimen...where was it found? In a crater...caused by what disruptive cataclysmic event? In tact? 47 Million years of undisturbed fossil? Don't think so.

Science is based on three things: 1) Observable events 2) Measurable outcomes, and 3) repeatable . What we DO have is a religion or FAITH in evolution THEORY....not science.

Sorry, I have FAITH that we are purposely made by a creator...after all, HE (GOD) was there ... IN THE BEGINNING!.

Try again...hit the reset button..maybe throw a few more millions of years for good measure.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Kat Fitzgerald, Chicago, Il — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:56:19 GMT

I am always amazed at those who claim there is no proof of evolution. Even the science of today's bacteria and viruses should prove - evolution is here - now. Mutation is part of evolution. It shows up every day. Even in H1N1 as it adapts to changes in the world around it. Stop denying the proof. If it must be said, the "theory" of creationist is more fancy - a book written by men some 2000 year ago is what you base your "facts" on? Please...

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Victor — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:56:30 GMT

Not to worry Charles Bujan, seems evolution has left you safely alone. Just leave evolution to those pesky fanatics and educated people with all their 'facts' and 'books'.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Will — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:59:20 GMT

I find it interesting that this fossil was found over 25 years ago and is just now being discussed as a major discovery. If this is "THE MISSING LINK," then why did it take them so long to figure it out? And if this thing had been separated into several pieces, then at some point they had to re-assemble it. How can we be sure they did it right, or that they didn't do it wrong on purpose?

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mahalia Ohio — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:18:33 GMT

Thanks for this article. It's good to know that there is a reliable source where we can actually hear the truth in the news.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mark F. — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:20:14 GMT

God gave us eyes to see and minds to think, and those who prefer instead to rely on an ancient book of hearsay and anecdotes for their "knowledge" squander the great gifts God has given us. This may or may not be the missing link. But I'll take it any day over stories passed down from cavemen.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mark F — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:22:19 GMT

Hey Michael Bujan: You say find the suggestion that I came from a lizard to be totally ludicrous. How about the suggestion that you came from a single sperm cell? Because you did.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Matt, St. Louis, MO — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:23:41 GMT

There does seem to be a lot of hype...it would seem to me that this might be more of an effort to raise public interest in science than a be-all, end-all unveiling of some deep and definitive holy truth. That said, I do think that it brings up an important point: regardless of one's core belief system, there are so many incredible manifestations of life on our planet (including us) to celebrate and explore and wonder about. As an intellectual, I enjoy contemplating the idea of one form of life adapting and changing through countless generations; as a Christian, I rejoice that God has made so many creatures with thumbs!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

funkod, uk — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:54:10 GMT

i really dont see how this ties up Darwins theory, which has been clearly disproven so many times, yet those discoveries dont make the top of the press, or in the news at all.

all life on Earth was seeded by other intelligent life and this happens through-out the universe and has been happening eternally thoughtout infinity

i will never believe i came from a monkey - deep down it does not feel right

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1iCjKWzeEE

"If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down. But I can find out no such case. " - Charles Darwin

there is NO God, there is NO Darwinism just beautiful and artful genetic creations from higher intelligent lifeforms - we are doing this now!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Jorge Molina, Mexico City, Mexico — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:31:27 GMT

I am always amazed at the general lack of knowledge in the general public about things related to science. Yes, this fossil find is certainly relevant, since it fills one of the predicted evolution paths in the descent of primates. But the hype surrounding this is pathetic. I have yet to see good media coverage, that explains why it is relevant without resorting to incorrect, sensationalist factoids

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mark Rowe, Atlanta — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:50:10 GMT

Finding a missing link (which this apparently isn't) seems to get many aethiests very jovial and happy.
As if if we found a link to how we were formed there would be proof that there is no God.

However, it is a very small part of the christian church that will deny any possiblity of evolution. Actually the Catholic church doesn't even teach against evolution.

In life we are trying to find answers.

Why can't the science be the answer to what and God be the answer to Why?

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Benjamin, Munich, Germany — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:57:03 GMT

Oh wow! There is no proof of evolution? Evolution is just a theory? People should see what a theory is before claiming such things. A theory is made of FACTS!
And there is definitely no proof of creation so please keep THIS out of schools.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Luton, England — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:00:40 GMT

I'm a little annoyed at the Creationists primary argment against The Missing Link. It's just lazy. How can one argue that creationsm is truth and evolution is not by means of a 'lack of evidence'. Show me evidence for creationism that exists outside of a bedtime story (available in all good hotel room bedside drawers) and i will believe it. This is true of eveolution too. I have an open mind, but it's open to evidence. This fossil i believe COULD be the missing link but i don't believe it's conclusive.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Purrpurrote Haschen — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:13:32 GMT

I agree with John from So. Cal., The Book of Genesis doesn't hold any water. To be more accurate it's a complete falacy (lie).

<><><>

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Shivshankar Upadhyay,Kolkata,India — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:16:00 GMT

Oh again , so many assumptions, not sure how long this link will stand because as past 19th centuary shows quiet a number of missing links were proposed and rejected. i.e. Piltdown man story of London ,where the teeth of moknkey skull wree foiled to falsely proof that it is a missing link.
If we think we are coming from monkey then why are we surprised when a man behaves like monkey or like a animal ( lusty ,greedy ,selfish,criminal mentality etc,etc)
And
If we are coming from God then we should not be surprised if a man have wonderful godly qualities (love ,compassion, selflessness tec,etc)
So a intelligent man should question wheather we are coming from monkey or God?

The missing link: Worth the hype?

George, Northfield,MN — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:31:59 GMT

No matter how you look at it, this is a truly amazing find! I think it was especially fortunate that we were able to date it so accurately (47.8 million years ago)due to the fact that volcanic craters are helpful with isotope dating. Each find like this only helps us understand ourselves and our world more and more. As far as the "missing link" title goes, that was actually made up by the media types, not the group of scientists that found the fossil.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Craig, MN — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:32:49 GMT

It's sad and pitiful that so many people willingly choose ignorance and religious fanatacism over a real critical analysis of the physical evidence in this find. Unfortunately countries like the United States will continue to live in the Dark Ages (along with places like Saudi Arabia and Afganistan) as a majority of people cannot accept any shred of truth that may conflict with their own personal illusions about their place in the universe.

I used to cheer when science made discoveries, now I can only cringe and shed a tear for the human race -and hope that my own children aren't subject to living among fools who can't accept anything but what their churches tell them.

What's really a terrible thing is that fine, upstanding people in Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee... the places that I always considered to be the heart and soul of America.... these seem to be today's primary breeding grounds for ignorance and the worship of irrational behavior. As a matter of fact, it was not always so.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Kent Green — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:39:59 GMT

The monkey, the book, the film, the hype = the money$$$

This is a "far out there" THEORY with a big dose of gorilla marketing thrown in and it represents science at it's worst.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Cory Oswald — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:43:54 GMT

Wow. If you peruse the actual scientific journal article they published on "Dawinius masillae," via the link above, you get quite a story: this thing was dug up by "private collectors" in 1983, split in two and sold, with one half being "partially fabricated to make it look more complete" and just now the other half has "come to light" and been "immediately recognized as being the unaltered counterpart" of the faked up half. Oh, and by the way, the skeleton was "crushed so individual bones cannot be handled, so imaging studies are are of particular importance." And the specimen died in infancy, probably during the first year of her life, so we basically just have to speculate how it may have looked as a mature animal.
Talk about a dubious find! Can anyone say "Piltdown Man"?

The missing link: Worth the hype?

George F — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:47:56 GMT

When speaking of mythology, I have to wonder if these armchair neo-Darwinists have actually thought through the presumptions of their own worldview. That is, creation came into existence from nothing, evolved upwards to greater degrees of complexity and purpose, all without a creator guiding the process. Questionable fossil evidence is not what is at question here; it is the worldview by which they are approaching the evidence from. Today's neo-Darwinists don't hold to macroevolution because of proofs, they hold to it because they refuse to allow the possibility that a Creator of infinite complexity exists which they cannot study through the lens of their telescope or microscope. What we have here…is the result of a failed theologian and second rate naturalist (Darwin) who has given intellectual license to those who refuse to bend their knee to their creator.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Joe Schmuckateli — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:57:29 GMT

Hey Kucner,
beauty is in the eye of the beholder... the beauty you see is the lie of licentiousness without accountability... you see evolution as liberating you from answering to the righteous creator who gave you life, but beyond the fecad of your false liberation is a lack of meaning for life or significance or any hope beyond your death sentance that is surer than taxes... how will you plea?

Where is your redemption? Evolution's "beauty and complexity" offers you what hope? a chance that you'll skate? What if you are wrong? Life is but a vapor, unless you can live forever... werewith you ought to say, if the Lord wills, we will do this or that, but you rejoice in evolution and it will not comfort you in your death bed if you should live so long or when you find yourself on the other side.

He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/raycomfortfood/~6/1

The missing link: Worth the hype?

JC, New Jersey — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:07:35 GMT

Annemarie Kucner, I agree that some posters here aren't well educated, yourself included.

"some of us faster then others" - actually, individual organisms don't evolve, that would be a Lamarckian idea.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

aquatic — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:09:18 GMT

now i know why our feet seem to have been"created" on
two different moulds. The big toe is way out of proportion to the other four.
This specimen shows that it once had a seperate function!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

aquatic — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:19:21 GMT

Perhaps it was the pet of Tirannosaur Rex?

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Leilani Akwai, Honolulu, Hawaii — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:21:36 GMT

In this context it's always nice to consider the following poem by Catherine Faber titled "The Word of God":
http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/poems/803.html

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Alfred Russel Wallace — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:54:01 GMT

" I might start to believe some of this nonsense if someone would show me (right now - in the present) a human evolving into something else!"

I don't think you quite understand the concept of evolution then.. unless you plan on sticking around for many, many years to watch the changes happen.

Even then no human changes might be observed because evolution is also based on survival of the fittest and adaptation to new food sources. Since predators no longer kill the weakest of our species and all humans (big or small, weak or strong) have a chance to reproduce then changes are unlikely to happen.

Evolution is likely to only be observed in wild animals who are in a constant struggle to survive, and once again, our current recorded human history doesn't even go far back enough to track the changes in a single species. The point is, there is evidence and the amount of it IS growing in our lifetime.

Does this new evidence indisputably prove Darwin right? No. However, since his time many discoveries have been made that are in line with his theories while his detractors have found little evidence to disprove him. Pope John Paul II even went as far as to say in 1996 that the theory of evolution was in line with the creation belief and that the process of evolution was designed by God.

In the end, this will always be a science vs faith argument. There is no changing ones mind about faith, you have it or you don't. Any scientist worth their salt has to be able to change their mind if presented with evidence that goes against their beliefs. Many won't, but they don't get into the history books.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

TJ Thomas, Alton, MO — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:55:37 GMT

The creation account is real simple. If you believe "God is" then the account in Genesis "could be" true. We are not told "everything" from moment to moment, but we are given some basic facts. It's only when we ADD to the Bible that we get into trouble. Biblical accounts assert that creatures were created "after their kind" and that the "kind" or "species" "man" (Homo sapiens) was special. Created in God's image. (Gen 1:24-26). Nothing more, nothing less.

Selection is not the basis of evolution. The "link" is it's foundation. "Kinds" must "evolve" into different "kinds" for evolution to be true.

The difference between evolution and creation occurs when men attempt to find or document a link between "kinds". In this case lemurs to apes. In others, apes to man, reptiles and birds, etc. When really it is what it is. A lemur.

Even if some middle ground could be reached, more specimens must be found.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Samantha C. — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:05:28 GMT

Looks more like a gorilla...gosh people are easy to convince

The missing link: Worth the hype?

io saturnalia!, Merrimack Valley, Mass. — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:12:48 GMT

My dog eats bananas, too. Guess that makes him an ape, right? Or maybe human?

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Lou, Milford PA — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:25:52 GMT

Wow some of these comments are rediculous..This is a huge find and provides further evidence for how evolution of primates took place. Evolution is a theory, definition of a theory; explainations of phenomena in the natural world. For example gravity is only a theory. Evolution is a theory, which has 200 years of research, observation, and discoveries in geography, anatomy, paleontology, astronomy,dna/genome sequencing etc. etc. proving it right. The debate among scientists is not whether evolution occured, but the pathways in which it took. You can always tell the educated in science and uneducated on these message boards.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Jake, Seattle, Washington — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:46:04 GMT

lol the fact that we see traits humans now have is cool it is close to the missin glink and watch for more to be found, jah jah bless but it is how he wants it to be not how the bible was changed to be lol dont always believe what you read you dont know who wrote it

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Pete, Kansas City, MO — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:47:55 GMT

Charles, your comment exemplifies the ignorance of so many people that are simply uneducated about evolution. Let me try to water it down for you... Evolution happens slowly over MANY generations, so nobody is claiming that YOU came from a lizard, fish, or ape (unless your parents had some sort of strange genetic mutations, but that would be a different story). Large evolutionary changes happen over long periods of time over thousands of generations. This is why you can't be shown "rigt now" a human evolving into "something else." Do not take that to mean that evolution does not exist. I love when people try to make that argument--that they can't see evolution happening so it must not exist--but then the same people believe a god that also cannot be seen created everything in a week. Where is the proof for that? Anyway, evolution is considered factual, not theoretical, by academia. If you need more proof that evolution does in fact take place, sit in on a high school biology or genetics course when they do the fruit fly project. Fruit flies are used to demonstrate smaller genetic changes (read "evolution")because they reproduce much faster than humans. The only part of this story that is theoretical is that this fossil in question MIGHT be an example of a "missing link" species between others that eventually evolved into modern humans. It is unbelievable that the existence of evolution is still being debated, but it is obvious that there are two sides in this debate--the scientifically educated (even if only at a high school level) versus the ignorant religious fanatics.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Vicki, Greenville, S.C. — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:36:14 GMT

Annamarie,

I think your comment was the most intelligent. I'd really like to see my comments(three from yesterday) posted before we do find "The Missing Link".I realize that may take yrs. either way.
I don't think the fossil they displayed is it.

Vicki

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Vicki, Greenville ,S.C. — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:52:43 GMT

Moderators: Wake up! you're not suppose to allow commenters to attack other commenters!!
And where are my three comments from yesterday? I noted the time when I sent them.

DO NOT ALLOW THESE PERSONAL ATTACKS TO CONTINUE!!

Doesn't NBC realize that they can be sued?

Vicki

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Marc Tanen, Boulder, Colorado — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:13:57 GMT

It is an important find. It might turn out to be the transitional form that links lemurs/apes and humans or another fossil might prove to be the real deal. What it does represent is another find in a long list of fossils that solidifes evolution. Then we have DNA proof including fossil genes and immortal genes that 100% prove evolution. For those creationists who know 0 about science please go and read real books (on science). There is NO chance you are right!!!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mike B, Atlanta, GA — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:13:05 GMT

It seems like an interesting find, but I've read 4-5 articles now, and none tell me really what's so special (maybe because I'm not a scientist)...something about having homo-sapien-like thumbs? This fossil was found in 1983, and they are just now creating hype about it? I have my doubts, I guess we'll have to wait a few more decades...science is too slow!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Anson, Ventura, California — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:20:28 GMT

This just worsens evolutions case. The scientist are claiming that this fossil is 47 million years old, yet they can tell what the animals last meal was. They can also see the fur. This actually seems to help creationism a lot more than evolution. It's problably just a type of lemur that died a coulple of decades ago. Radio active dating is inaccurate and is not a trustworthy meathod to discover somthings age.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Marc Tanen, Boulder, Colorado — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:38:31 GMT

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Xavier, Chicago, Illinois — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:25:15 GMT

Until they find a link that looks very similar to a human being, I won't believe they found a link to us.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Jorge, Dallas, TX — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:03:09 GMT

It's sad to see all the comments posting out of ignorance and while I do think that this discovery is overhyped, I don't think it is for the same reason most of the people here do.

It is overhyped merely because this discovery is one of hundreds of transitional fossils we have of human ancestors. While this one may be particularly important in that it may show a point closer in ape/human divergence evolution, it is not a "missing link" any more than any of the dozens of other human ancestor fossils.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Cheryl R. Dean St. Louis Missouri — Thu, 21 May 2009 01:13:01 GMT

If we are created in God's Image then his Spirit is to live in us, that is the beauty of our creator he is the creator. John 6:63 says "For it is the Spirit that gives life, the Flesh profit nothing". Satan is all about the flesh!! It says in the BIBLE "IF" we are raised with Christ then we had better live like it. There are so many non believers and believers who are confused, listening to the voice of Evil!! But since there is so much evil, and selfishness there are gonna be alot of people in Hell, which is Forever Death!!!

Jesus was the 2nd Son who committed no evil sin against God, therefore HE was sent By God to take all of our sin and defeat death for us and only through HIM shall we live forever, that's how much God shows us he loves us. We are loved. Sorry it is really all about Love and love is selfless, not selfish. You can choose, just look at the result of that choice!! Wow we are all in trouble because of that choice SELFISHNESS!! We were created in God's image GOD with us, he gave us everything to live here, it all did not just evolve. Give me a break! Can you create a tree, can you make a fish, can you make water? You are looking for something Jesus has the answers! So when Jesus blasted out of the Tomb He defeated death and was accepted into Heaven, That Changed everything, Through him we are promised Eternity, Don't worry so much about what happens here, Satan is a liar and will die!!!, because we are promised something far greater, so give it up, you can't take this with you. Don't try to distort the truth! Jesus was the first Son to actually walk by the Spirit, Hear from God and was given the key to Heaven. Satan caused great evil against God. Learn to live, Only through Jesus can you make it in this World he is you Peace! You are to live a life of Kings and Queens,right here where you we meant to be, because of him! So you must learn to do that by EVOLVING with Jesus, who came to give you Abundant life, not a trumped up Pretend Life!!! We are so sick of Ourselves, and we have sinned and need Jesus! Since God gave us free will, ALL of you need to think about that fact, you have a choice.

So Jesus, God's second son who knew NO sin and WALKED BY THE "SPIRIT", and HEARD FROM GOD came to ""rescue us" from evil snare of Satan who wants you to DIE!.

Only Through Jesus can we have Eternal Life. Since Jesus appeared to me in the middle of a Sunday morning, THAT is UNDENIABLE PROOF and that is something SCIENCE can't logically explain and never will. Because God gave us science to better Live, not Destroy. Yes there is a GOD, yes SATAN exists, but not FOREVER. TOO BAD the devil will have his tomb on Earth!! So let's dig a hole and put the devil in it once and for all. We are to live an awesome life, and our Creator made it all perfect, We are to worship him in Love! He Loves us so much he promised us Eternity through Jesus!!! Jesus is the Trump card into Heaven!!! Halleluiah!!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Rodder — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:00:10 GMT

Science has not "proven" evolution. Rather, science has not been able to disprove it. Research findings have consistently not disproved it. Contrast that with creationism, which science has disproved.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Paul, Melbourne, Victoria — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:09:20 GMT

To all the poo-poohing creationists, please discard your computers, iphones and other gadgets. Get off the net and ensure that there is no chance of your type evolving. The rest of us will get on with the job of using scientific theorem, whether enduring or not, to assist us to optimise our future.

Scientific theories are tools that explain the nature of our environment in ways that allow us to predict and utilise it. Even genius such as Newton and Einstien have developed very useful part-theories that have advanced science, engineering and humans in general. Neither have created scientific theories that proved to be absolutely right, but we would not be where we are without the steps they made. Whether this find is a theory of note is not important except as a tool to validate, challenge or extend our knowledge on potential human evolution paths.

If the bible is the only absolute reference for you, do not claim any professional stance in your arguments other than "theologist", espouse only regurgitated stories and do not embellish with translations of text. Even better, learn to read Aramaic, find an original bible and see what Emporer Constantine did to create the "readers digest" version that is spewed on forums as an authoritive document.

I find the Messel Apes to be of immense interest and potentially very valuable scientific finds. I am an engineer. I use my religion as a basic values system for humans to prosper in the present social context. Sacred texts are not historical or scientific research mediums and irrelevant in assessing fossils older than human civilisation.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

jb carter lake IA — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:27:31 GMT

there has been experimentation on crossing or gene splicing animals w animals, and even human DNA under top secret operations for decades. for details see steve quayles website.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Derek S Cedar Falls, IA — Thu, 21 May 2009 06:38:38 GMT

I would like to ask everyone who does not have a degree in genetics/ paleontology to not comment on something like this unless its "over hyped".."not over hyped". It would be like me trying to argue something I know nothing about, which is what most of these people are doing. Ps. Thank you to who all are attemping to shed light to these people on what 'science' is.

Here is the problem with evolution.

It cannot be explained in five minutes. To fully understand how and why mutation and decent drive it takes years of study in several fields. However, there are several books which do an OK job at explaining.. such as "Why evolution is true" by Coin. I challenge anyone who challenges evolution to read it, high light what you dont understand and ask a college biology professor to give explanation to you. I promise you, they will be more than happy to answer your questions as long as they are not busy.

Iowa Biotechnologist

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Bob Martinson — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:16:50 GMT

This so-called find of the missing link is questionable just as Dr Morris has stated in

The Evidence of Nothing

Evolutionists often speak of missing links. They say that the bridge between man and the apes is the “missing link”, the hypothetical ape-like ancestor of both. But there are supposed missing links all over the evolutionary tree. For instance, dogs and bears are thought to be evolutionary cousins, related to each other through a missing link. The same could be said for every other stop on the tree. All of the animal types are thought to have arisen by the transformation of some other animal type, and at each branching node is a missing link, and between the node and the modern form are many more. If you still don’t know what a missing link is, don’t worry. No one knows what a missing link is, because they are missing! We’ve never seen one.

This argument from silence is an absence in the evidentiary record – a “nothing, where there should be something” if evolutionary theory were true. But evolutionary theory is not true, so the real world’s fossil record has been providing irrefutable evidence, by the absence of missing links , for a long, long time (about 150 years) now. Sometimes “nothing” is the evidence for the truth!!.

By John D. Morris, PhD and James J.S. Johnson, J.D.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Bob Martinson — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:17:33 GMT

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mary and Wayne Sluss, Tazewell, VA — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:24:46 GMT

Questions: Why are there still fish, birds and monkeys? How could a fish, bird or monkey create the "heaven and the earth," Genesis 1:1, and "make man in our image (God and Christ), and "after our likeness and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, etc." Genesis 1:26 & 27. We, humans, are the same today as we were "in the beginning" and the word of God is all the proof we need. This cannot be changed. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8 Thanks, Mary and Wayne Sluss,(Christians) Tazewell, VA

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mark, Sacramento, CA — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:07:55 GMT

I had watched MSNBC and realized how stupid a channel it was but reading the comments here just makes that opinion seem a little understated. I have rarely seen such ignorance of science and even of their own stated religious beliefs in my life! I think what I find the funniest is all the people calling evolution a religion and then ridiculing people for believing in it when that is exactly what THEY are doing! We are ALL atheist... I just believe in one less god then you do!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mark, Sacramento, CA — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:00:34 GMT

I see that John D. Morris, PhD has posted here! Well we are seeing the top of the creationist chain today! So how goes the search for noahs ark in Turkey? I too sir am a geologist and would love to debate you at any time... but be ready to have your clock cleaned... just as Dr. Niall Shanks and I did at ETSU to Duane Gish in the early 90's. Poor Duane left red faced and embarressed! I shouldn't gloat though, I mean debating creationists is like hunting cows in a field with a high-powered rifle... a little fun a first but it just becomes too easy to really enjoy!

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Kyle Thomas, Watertown, WI — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:03:42 GMT

"estimated that Earth is appx. 13.7 billion yrs.old"

It's estimated so it's probably not a fact...?
No one was here during the big bang so no one can prove it happened. Scientists also use flawed dating methods.. Lol Carbon dating :D

I would rather believe in something that gives your life meaning, rather than believing something that gives your life no meaning what so ever...
Who would want to do that? . You might as well kill yourself if there's no meaning in life.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Vicki, Greenville, S.C. — Fri, 22 May 2009 01:18:37 GMT

Oh God, why can't we just agree to disagree and not have the attacks be so personal?

This is not an all of a sudden life or death situation.
We have the inalienable right to pusue our own personal beliefs. Science isn't going to save us, and religion isn't going to save us. And I really don't have any mind blowing,scientific arguements to make.
Why? well, I'm not as intelligent as some you, but at least I'm not beating up on people.

I'm sure this is in a book on philosophy,and if not I'll claim it for my own. Uh, when I no longer have anything to prove, then I am absoloutely free to be nothing and everything. That's life, everything and nothing. How does that sound for a novice?

Anyone want to discuss the "God" particle?

Vicki

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Vicki, Greenville,S.C. — Fri, 22 May 2009 01:37:04 GMT

P.S.

Does anyone here personally know Dr. Desmond Morris? He wrote a great book. O.K. for novices like me, what books would you recommend, besides a dictionary, and the Bible? I'm willing to learn anything and everything. Load me up for a weekend trip to the library. And no smart remarks. Seriously, some of you have beaten each other up quite alot. And I really want to learn everything; science, nature, philosophy...

Vicki

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Kevin Clark — Fri, 22 May 2009 02:51:54 GMT

We've heard in the news recently with the H1n1 (swine flue) virus that scientists liken it to the Spanish flu in the early 20th Century. They are afraid that it might do what it did, and that is show up fairly mild in the spring , but become a super killer in the fall becuase of mutation.Influenza constantly mutates every year and scientists must find new vaccines every time it does. We see the example of evolutionary change at the molecular level every year. Someone who developes an immunity to a virus or disease because they,ve already had it shows that one person of the human species has evolved beyond where they were before they contracted it.I think this is about as good an example as your going to get if you need to see proof of evolution in front of your eyes Right Now.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Kevin Clark,Corpus Christi,Tex. — Fri, 22 May 2009 03:31:20 GMT

If a thousand brother and sisters have children and some are born with no abnormalities , while others have diseases or other genetic abnormalities, wich I think few would dispute are much more likely with DNA transfers that are too genetically similar, what did the parents of the healthy babies do right that didn't displease God that the parents of the diseased or genetically defective children did or did not do? Shouldn't all the offspring if it displeases God be deformed? Or do you think that God picks and chooses because if Creationism were too obvious everyone would jump on the bandwagon? This is why rapists don't burst into flame right after the act. Murderers often are never caught, And ruthless dictators and businessmen are often the wealthiest people on the planet. Does God hide the fairness in life on pupose?

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Mark, Chicago, IL — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:37:57 GMT

The imbalance between religion and science too often surface with a significant discovery like Ida. Creationist vs. evolutionist. Why can't these two work in conjunction to better understand the history of our universe, our planet and the role of mankind? Further polarizing them is disappointing and frustrating. My God does not fear science. He made it. Failure to accept the merits of the scientific process is archaic and exclusionary. It pits one philosophy against the other when in fact both are fundamental to the preservation and understanding of mankind. In one trillion years all matter in this universe is expected to degrade to nothing. I don't fear for humanity because I know He has a solution that will require science. How can one person choose to accept one part of science that helps us, but refuse another part of science because it refutes one's beliefs? The earth is not the center of our solar system. Science continues to evolve as all living things on this planet have. This is no threat to me. Failure to accept creatures existed on this planet prior to mankind's recorded history does not threaten me. We are here because of Him. All things were put on this planet by Him. Just because we're related to something does not lessen my belief in Him. Some things happen by chance. All else not.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Kevin Clark — Sun, 24 May 2009 23:53:01 GMT

As to why there are still fish , birds ,and monkeys while others evolved into something else has been established with scientists. Once you are born , you have the choice to go this way or that way. Am I going to be eaten by a shark today(fish)because I turned right at this point in the ocean today, or did I turn left and lived to see tomorrow? Is my lake drying up and will soon be mud if I don't evolve while my cousins lake is fine? As a monkey , are my predators evolving faster than I am? If I don't slowly develope the ability to think smarter will I and my decendants cease to exist? while on another continent the monkeys predaters aren't nearly so threatening ,if they have natural predators at all?
According to scientists there's a natural progression for a species(a starting point). While some start to deveate (change) , others remain the same, usually dictated by the harshness of they're environment.Once you're born , your DNA can evolve completely differently from your brother or cousins even for no particular reason at all. Why are there blacks, whites , hispanics, ect..? If both Adam and Eve where white, when did it happen? And Why? Blacks predominately occupy the souther hemisphere of this planet. I believe that blacks are more suited to the harsh temperatures of the southern hemisphere then thier counterparts. Whites burn easily in the harsh sun.
Some animals have both gills and lungs. If I were to bet , I would bet that somewhwere down the line thier bodys will make a decicion. Some may discard thier lungs while others may discard thier gills. They'll still be related, but lead entirely different paths in thier future.

The missing link: Worth the hype?

Kevin Clark — Mon, 25 May 2009 00:04:49 GMT

As to whether which was first, the chicken or the egg, I believe the chicken was first. Thier young offspring (without egg) may have been a tasty treat to predators, and over time evolution created an untasy shell that also did not emit smell to alert predators. Had they not been able to do this , we might not have chickens at all today.