I have been impressed by the erudition of some posters but Steve Shaw, you appear to believe that opinion is the same as knowledge. You have demonstrated a lack of knowledge of the scientific method and many of your rants have undermined the considered and informed input of other posters. Abuse does not constitute argument. I was also interested in your statement that Darwin wrote in elegant, easy English. He wrote in the mid-Victorian period for a specific audience i.e. members of the Royal Society, and 'Origin' is frequently challenging. Have you actually read it? I have to admit that I find it difficult and have preferred to read commentaries rather than the original. But there again, I recognise that I have much to learn, how about you?

OK, rant over, please feel free to give me the verbal kicking you no doubt feel that I richly deserve.

I have read Origin cover to cover, again and again. If you really think he wrote it "for a specific audience," then I suggest that 'tis you who haven't read it. At least, not with much insight. Do you also suppose that Shakespeare wrote for a specific audience? Bach? Beethoven? Did Michaelangelo sculpt for a specific audience? What tommy-rot. As for abuse, whatever I say to irritating, obsessive twits like Snail (there I go again!) is as nothing compared to the abuse visited on the whole of science by pete. Incidentally, I should like you either to confirm with quoted examples my "lack of knowledge of scientific method" or just shut up. Hows about "self-proclaimed scientist" from Snail as an example of abuse? All that time spent getting my biological science degree from Imperial College and I'm "self-proclaimed?" Are you Snail's dad or something? Hows about that lot for the verbal kicking you so richly deserve? And might I suggest that you cease to "follow" the thread from some lofty, self-appointed perch and actually contribute something to the substance of the debate (insofar as this thread might be styled a debate at all)?