The theory of evolution

Over at The Scientist Neil S. Greenspan has an article up, Darwin and deduction:

One of the most remarkable but insufficiently noted features of Charles Darwin's conception of evolution is that its logical implications are still being worked out. I am not merely claiming that experimental and observation studies continue to make use of and bear on Darwinian ideas and principles. I am calling attention to the fact that after almost a century and a half, new deductions are still being teased out of his very fertile axioms of descent with modification and natural selection.

One of the primary criterion which scientists use to judge the utility of a theory is its inferential power. It is one thing to describe; but another to predict. This is one reason I recommend all my friends to read The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection; R. A. Fisher's attempt to create a mathematical framework in which to conceptualize the action of natural selection within evolutionary process. To a great extent I think Fisher fails in his grandest objectives, but fundamentally I think the exposition clarifies one's thinking fruitfully.

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One good thing about the election is that I don't instinctively flinch every time the White House releases new policy initiatives. Case in point: tax expenditures. What's a tax expenditure?
Soon, it will be the end of the year. Soon, all those various forms will come trickling into your mailbox, telling you how much money you earned. Soon, you will have to fill out a whole bunch of other forms and pay out your share to the state and federal government.
Now that the Democrats have taken both houses of Congress, there will be loud calls for them to govern from center. This silliness will be promulgated by the likes of David Broder and other Mainstream Media Mandarins who suffer from Complusive Centrist Disorder.
Let's just say that throwing up between 1am and 5am the week you have to prepare for a scientific conference (ASM) is, well, suboptimal.