Debunking myths about evolution – John van Wyhe

In an enlightening and scientifically motivated talk, Dr.John Van Wyhe states that the popular narrative attached to Darwin and his discoveries are wide off the mark. Dr van Wyhe tells us why it is important to hear the true story behind Darwin and his work to understand their scientific and human significance. In a logical manner, we are shown where certain premises attached to the popular narrative fail when brought under a strict scientific scrutiny. The matter regarding the age of the Earth is settled, the progressive nature of the history of the Earth is highlighted and this leads to Darwin’s idea of Evolution. According to Dr van Wyhe, Darwin states three reasons for his theory of evolution – the existence of fossilized mammals,patterns linked to geographical distribution and the Galapagos Islands which served as a hotbed for a unique diaspora of different species. The accumulated effect of these observations – natural selection, or as Dr van Wyhe puts it “The Gauntlet of Death” – showcased the accuracy and simplicity of Darwin’s observations. With interesting excerpts and his own observations Dr van Wyhe paints a portrait of Darwin and the theory of evolution that comes to a logical conclusion.