All dinosaurs are fakes.

[xtifr]

Second, technically speaking the down direction in that figure isn't time in phylogenies. In phylogenies, time isn't a factor.

Yes, but he created that chart to show both phylogenetic difference and time difference. It's a combined chart. Which is actually a fairly common thing to do in charts for a lay audience.

 

[MattusMaximus]

This is why I hate youtube.

The OP is a single line with an embedded youtube.

The first reply is an embedded youtube with no narrative whatsoever.

Youtube is destroying our ability to communicate with written/typed language.

Errr... wut?

 

[Rincewind]

Discovery of super-sized dinosaur announced.

That was a really big chicken.

You'd need one hell of a barbecue....

 

[shadron]

I think the evidence of here two fingered gestures is proof enough for dinosaurs. Looks like something a T. rex would do.

I had in mind including a link to a potholer video which featured a creationist discussing oxygen deficit in dinosaurs, and how that lead them to extinction through spontaneous combustion, but having scanned the thread, I think I'll just let it be.

 

[Peter May]

Sorry, "science-based" thinkers, you've been lied to since you were kids.

Are you serious?
I hope not!

 

[jimbob]

Don't worry Peter, there is an implicit rolling of eyes in Gawdzilla's post, based on other stuff that they've written.

 

[Dinwar]

Thanks for that - Would I be correct to think that notwithstanding your first point, it is reasonable to say that a T-rex is more closely related to a sparrow than to Stegasaurus, in the same way that lemurs are are more closely related to humans than to cats?

In the second point, I didn't think Randal was talking about phylogenetics any more, just the fact that there is less time between T-Rex and a sparrow than between T-Rex and a Stegosaurus.

I haven't specifically looked at the phylogenies, but it's probable that T. rex is more closely related to sparrows than stegasaurs. I meant to look into that this weekend, but never got around to it... I don't disagree with it, it's just that I have some concerns with basal members of clades and estimating relatedness. It's not quite as simple as "Stuff inside the clade is more closely related to each other than stuff outside the clade". But in this case, I think it's safe to assume that yeah, the stuff inside Therapoda is more closely related than any of it is to stuff outside of it.

xtifr and you seem to disagree on the second point. There certainly was more of a time difference between stegosaurs and T. rex than between T. rex and sparrows. My point was just that the time dimension is notoriously difficult to add, and that the way it was added was a very cartoonish "just so you get the idea" kind of way. When it's done for reals it frequently includes stratigraphic columns, because in paleontology and geology time=rock depth (well....rock depth corrected for tectonic activity).

I had in mind including a link to a potholer video which featured a creationist discussing oxygen deficit in dinosaurs, and how that lead them to extinction through spontaneous combustion, but having scanned the thread, I think I'll just let it be.

I almost want to find that video and post it on Facebook, just to see how many people's heads I can get to explode.

 

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Don't worry Peter, there is an implicit rolling of eyes in Gawdzilla's post, based on other stuff that they've written.

Quite true. I really thought everyone (who could be bothered to clink on the link) would be passing this along to their friends by now.

 

[KumarS]

Are you serious?
I hope not!

This was the explanation.
Archaeologist in need of a job!

 

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Two of my cousins thanked me for sending this and said they'd include it in their home schooling program. I guess I'll have to go to McDonald's for any future family reunions.

 

[Nakani]

Wow!! that was "informative".

I think she should have her internet privileges revolked. It's funny but really sad at the same time.

 

[Checkmite]

I wonder why Moses list of things or er animals to load onto ark was not found either? Two of every creature? Does that include insects?

Moses?

Noah did not keep him in the loop...

Somebody finally caught that...ha.

Actually, according to Judeo-Christian tradition the "pentateuch" - that is, the first five books of the old testament, including Genesis which contains the story of Noah's ark - was supposed to have been written by Moses (except for the last few verses of the last book); so - if there had been a list of animals that Noah was supposed to have taken with him on the ark it actually would have been compiled by Moses - again, insofar as biblical legend is concerned.

 

[Craig B]

I wonder why Moses list of things or er animals to load onto ark was not found either? Two of every creature? Does that include insects?

Because Moses allegedly came along hundreds of years later. But maybe Noah missed out many insects. Do these Biblical insects from Leviticus 11 still exist, or were they drowned in the Flood?

20 All the winged insects that walk on all fours are detestable to you.

So Jews aren't permitted to eat four legged insects!

 

[Gawdzilla Sama]

So Jews aren't permitted to eat four legged insects!

I never eat them myself.

 

[aggle-rithm]

So Jews aren't permitted to eat four legged insects!

They should have made all their dietary restrictions like that. People would be lining up to be Jewish.

"...and we only eat Mermaid fin during a blue moon."

"What about bacon?"

"That's fine."