Project Steve

Fundamentalists trying to get creationism taught in science classes like to circulate lists of scientists who sign some statement against evolution. Here's one from the Discovery Institute, a creationist group. It's interesting to note that the statement they agreed to isn't very controversial at all, and many scientists who study evolution would have no problem with it. Yet the creationist groups make it out to be a big deal. The statement says, I am skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged. Well duh. Keeping a healthy sense of skepticism is integral to scientific investigation.

But anyway, in response to these stupid lists of names trying to muster support for religion in public school science classes, there is now Project Steve. Project Steve is a statement of support for evolution and against creationism being taught in public school science classes. The catch is that only scientists named Steve, Steven, Stephan, Steffan, Stephanie, or a couple other close variations are allowed to sign it. They have over 600 signatures and counting. So if a fundamentalist points you to a list of a couple hundred scientists who don't like evolution, point them to a list of over 600 scientists, all named Steve, who do support it. Game. Set. Match.