Definition of "design"?

[Mike Elphick]

A characteristic of something designed by people is that it performs a function that doesn't help the object itself.

The watch is not bothered what time it is, nor whether it is wound up or not

That's because it's not alive.

That's exactly my point! It's one of the characteristics that differentiate designs of an intelligent designer (man) and designs arrived at via a process of evolution. Many creationists look upon viruses as non-living, but the design of a particular virus is for it's benefit alone. If you believe that viruses were designed by 'an intelligence', in what way would they benefit the designer?

Humans can be do things beneficial only to other animals.

Let's repeat what Darwin said. Evolution couldn't produce a characteristic in one species beneficial only to another species. That's not quite the same thing as helping your cat down from a tree .

 

[Jazmyn]

What about dolphins, they're pretty altruistic?

 

[LifeToTheFullest!]

What about dolphins, they're pretty altruistic?

Smart too! Their brains are about as big as ours.

 

[laconicstudent]

What about dolphins, they're pretty altruistic?

The idea that Dolphins are somehow altruistic doesn't really square with the fact that male bottle-nose dolphins engage in infanticide.

"Evidence for infanticide in bottlenose dolphins of the western North Atlantic." D.G. Dunn et al. [SIZE=-1]Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 38(3), 2002, pp. 505-510

[/SIZE]Evidence for infanticide in bottlenose dolphins of the western North Atlantic -- Dunn et al. 38 (3): 505 -- Journal of Wildlife Diseases

Darn. Doesn't look like those Dolphins are all that nice after all, when their young wash up dead on beaches of severe blunt force trauma, and bearing puncture wounds consistent with the teeth placement of an adult of their own species.

 

[Jazmyn]

Wasn't there an episode of the Simpsons where they take over the world?

 

[Jazmyn]

But they rescue swimmers from sharks. Don't let a few criminal-fringe dolphins tarnish the name.

 

[laconicstudent]

But they rescue swimmers from sharks. Don't let a few criminal-fringe dolphins tarnish the name.

There is nothing that indicates this activity is at all "fringe".

Next time, please actually bother reading the abstract:

However, they were similar to traumatic injuries described in stranded bottlenose dolphin calves and harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in Great Britain attributed to violent dolphin interactions.The evidence suggests that violent dolphin behavior was the cause of the trauma in the nine calves reported here and that infanticide occurs in bottlenose dolphins of the western North Atlantic.

This isn't fringe. This is apparently somewhat common. Also, you are clearly arguing from emotion now.




And finally, but perhaps most importantly... any book, museum or discovery channel show will tell you that sharks almost never attack swimmers, unless they are stupid enough to go swimming in water with sharks with a huge bleeding gash on their thigh or otherwise provide provocation.

 

[Jazmyn]

Aquarium sharks are fed. There are numerous shark attacks off the coast of America every year. Map of United States (incl. Hawaii) Confirmed Unprovoked Shark Attacks

 

[laconicstudent]

Aquarium sharks are fed. There are numerous shark attacks off the coast of America every year. Map of United States (incl. Hawaii) Confirmed Unprovoked Shark Attacks

Jazmyn... That map covers all the shark attacks for three hundred and thirty eight years (338).

Even in Florida, that divides out to an average of only 1.8 unprovoked attacks a year.

If anything, that map proves my own point that sharks don't attack unless provoked.

There have only been 50 fatal attacks in the United States in the past nearly 3 and a half centuries? That's a pretty good track record...

 

[Jazmyn]

50-70 attacks a year worldwide Shark Questions

 

[laconicstudent]

50-70 attacks a year worldwide Shark Questions

Worldwide there is an average of 50-70 shark attacks every year.

A statement that also covers shark attacks that have provocation.


Interestingly:

Nationally, about 62 people die each year from lightning, many while golfing, boating and otherwise enjoying summertime activities

From the Salt Lakes Tribune, Words of caution: Lightning season's here -- be wary - Salt Lake Tribune

So more people die in the United States of being struck by lightning, then are attacked by sharks worldwide. Do you see how untenable your position has become? 50-70 attacks worldwide annually is a infinitesimal number.

 

[LifeToTheFullest!]

Aquarium sharks are fed. There are numerous shark attacks off the coast of America every year. Map of United States (incl. Hawaii) Confirmed Unprovoked Shark Attacks

I didn't look at your link, but numerous wouldn't be a word I would use to describe the frequency of shark attacks. I was at the local aquarium about a month ago, and I remember the docent stressing the fact that there are actually very few shark attacks. And when they do attack, it's usually because the victim looks (remember sharks don't have great eyesight) like a seal (i.e. surfer wearing a wetsuit). Once they realize they bit into neoprene, they usually let go.

One interesting tidbit, the director of Jaws the movie stated that if he knew the irrational fear and prejudice people would have towards sharks, he would've never made the film.