Customer Reviews

Icons Of Evolution

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

After reading the book by the same title, I was not impressed with the DVD. Unlike the book, the DVD relied on evoking an emotional response regarding the high school teacher and Darwin critic who had his teaching suppressed. While that is certainly lamentable, I was hoping for detailed illustration on the more cogent details of the book. The book, unlike the DVD, is fantastic, providing rigorous scientific evidence refuting neo-Darwinism. I am neither a creationist nor a Christian fundamentalist, but I love science and had believed evolution to generally be true. However, after reading Jonathan Wells' book, I was disappointed at how scientists are essentially dismissing dissenting viewpoints to undergird what has become scientific dogma in the face of contradictory evidence. The DVD, however, touches on this theme, and is a good initial exposure.

What is so refreshing about this DVD is that it does not push a religious or "Creationist" front, as so many that strives to contradict Evolution do. Rather than approaching the debate with advocates for Creationism, it approaches the debate with advocates for Evolution (and most of them staunch evolutionists) who are willing to admit that there are some holes.

This DVD does not provide any answers. Rather, it begs creative and critical thought, a needed quality in today's world of gloss and mind-numbing entertainment. The piece stays true to the "scientific method" of questioning and testing rather than simple avocation of a theory. Rather than accepting inconsistencies, this piece simply asking the participant to execute logical scientific process and look at all options. It acknowledges the fact that Evolution still does not explain everything, nor does it provide a 100% solid foundation as a guiding principal for the explanation of life on this earth. It begs the viewer to look, as a true scientist would, at all current theories and to begin the critical thinking process again from a new viewpoint of objectivity rather than political fence-straddling.

There is real content here so the producers resisted the urge (as so many today do NOT) to gloss over everything with audio/video eye-candy. This is a logical film that is infinitely accessible and informative. Format, flow, and images are clear and straight forward, with impressive computer graphics and appropriate audio tracks strive to do more than giving me an "experience". I won't be showing this to friends for the great graphics or the smooth soundtrack - I will share it with them for discussion.

I would highly recommend this DVD to anyone who is fascinated by the questions of who are we, where are from, and where are we going. I would also recommend this to any school curriculum program, especially high school science - I can't help but wonder how much further we could have learned the principles of science, debate, and presentation, if we would have simply viewed this when I was in high school. It begs the point of fostering open discussion and personal questioning.

Given this aspect, it would also be highly appropriate to any university as well, this primarily because it simply asks us to open our eyes to all possibilities rather than blindly following an "ism". This DVD has no "camp" and does not pretend to accept anything other than inquiry.

I have always personally believed that the educational process was to make creative thinkers rather than automated encyclopedias of information - this DVD treats me like a thinker rather than a sheep - a nice change.

Whenever I find myself or my family simply accepting anything that doesn't really make since, this film will be spinning in the DVD player as a wake-up call. I want my children to be leaders, not followers.

I could be mistaken, but it appears that the viewer from Missouri and DAN JOHNSON have not even viewed this DVD, yet claim to be "reviewing" it. That's why they dare not raise objections to any of the points made in this evenhanded presentation of the problem - why falsehoods supposedly known to be such by evolutionists - in some cases for many decades - continue to be presented in textbooks as fact.

Evolutionist Stephen Jay Gould agrees that Haeckel's embryo drawings were false, yet claims that since evolutionists have known this for umpteen years, it's a moot point. Wasn't he concerned that Darwinism had to resort to known falsehoods as "evidence"? Why is teaching falsehoods a moot point? Certainly he can expect it of those wicked theists, but isn't Gould a scientist?

Similarly, why aren't evolutionists up in arms about the fact that the feet of "Lucy" were altered to look more human, when allegedly the entire evolutionist community knew her feet were unhumanly curved, quite like an apes? Where is their thirst for accuracy and self-correction?

Jonathan Wells became an atheist through being indoctrinated with Darwinism. I would wager he has more scientific credentials than either of those two dishonest "reviewers": he has degrees in geology, physics, molecular and cell biology, and religious studies, and has worked as a post-doc research biologist. After rediscovering the wonder of creation, he explored various religions, taking him to gurus and swamis, and finally back to theism - ironically, the foundation of most of today's sciences.

Chesterton wrote that "As an explanation of the world, materialism has a sort of insane simplicity. It has just the quality of the madman's argument; we have at once the sense of it covering everything and the sense of it leaving everything out. ... For we must remember that the materialist philosophy (whether true or not) is certainly much more limiting than any religion. ... The Christian is quite free to believe that there is a considerable amount of settled order and inevitable development in the universe. But the materialist is not allowed to admit into his spotless machine the slightest speck of spiritualism or miracle. Poor Mr. McCabe is not allowed to retain even the tiniest imp, though it might be hiding in a pimpernel." Fortunately these "reviewers" have a wealth of information to turn them away from their pseudoscience and back to science: Behe's "Darwin's Black Box", Strobel's "The Case for a Creator", and ex-agnostic Denton's "Evolution: A Theory in Crisis", among others. Of course there is also the Access Research Network on the web to provide objective arguments for real free thinkers.

This is a fine video that explores icons of the cult of Darwin and the fanatical attempts of the neo-Darwinians to suppress all challenges to their quaint little belief. I deduct one star because it is too short. There are so many other important frauds and deceptions in need of being addressed that permeate this amazing movement that seeks to convince rational people, through a series of "just so stories", that they somehow descended from rocks. These cry out to be addressed in a format such as this. At the very least I would have liked a little more on the Darwinist attempt to disguise the macro-stasis evident in the fossil record. That fine point aside, this is an approachable treatment of how the Darwinists reach has now exceeded their grasp and how by simply asking questions, people are beginning to see that the Emperor of Evolution has no clothes.

In addition to exposing some of the more outrageous Darwinist frauds, this video provides a good treatment of the coercive nature of the neo-Darwinian establishment. It documents how Darwinists behave as they lose the minds and hearts of the people and therefore must stoop to using raw power and might to keep the growing number of dissident academics on the reservation. Watch this video and be astonished by the patronizing nonsense offered up as justification for Darwinist intellectual bullying. Finally, As a bonus, by reading all the "reviews" by "Clairvoyant One Star Warriors" who clearly didn't watch one minute of this documentary, one can see the condescending and patronizing attitudes of those who, having failed to win the debate with the Intelligent Design movement, seek now to suppress it.

Notes on the film:

The music is acceptable for those who have grown weary of everything having to sound like some foul MTV Mu-sick video.

The production quality is high and on par with the best of the documentary makers craft.

The film is suitable for Middle School through High School students though undergraduate College students can use it as a springboard for college level research.

Fast-paced, gripping, and richly visual, this documentary explodes the worn-out stereotype depicting the controversy over evolution as a battle between intolerant religious fundamentalists opposed to Darwin's theory and valiant Darwinists who are defenders of academic freedom and free inquiry. One of my favorite parts of the DVD is when a high school biology teacher is actually forbidden by school administrators from assigning an article by noted evolutionist Stephen Jay Gould because the article exposes bogus evidence for evolution still printed in many textbooks. Watching this DVD will be an eye-opening experience for anyone who thinks Darwinists believe in free inquiry. You will see a leading Darwinist contend (on camera) that science isn't democratic and that students shouldn't learn about inaccuracies in their textbooks (or scientists who are critical of parts of evolutionary theory) because the students might be confused by the truth. Buy this DVD and send it to every school board member or donate a copy to your local library.

In 2002, Jonathan Wells published a book entitled Icons of Evolution. This book was subtitled, Science or Myth? Why Much of What We Teach About Evolution is Wrong. Wells, formerly a firm believer in evolution, had come to realize that much of what is taught about evolution is just plain wrong. Many "icons of evolution," such as Darwin's "Tree of Life," Haeckel's drawings of embryoes that look remarkably similar to each other, and the ever-famous Galapagos Finch had long since been proven to be mere myth. That these are myths is widely accepted in the scientific community, even by advocates of evolution. And yet these icons live on, taught as fact in science texts used in grade schools and in colleges. Wells' book ignited a firestorm of controversy that continues to this day. It was responsible for convicting many to abandon or seriously question their faith in Darwin's theories of evolution.

Icons of Evolution (the DVD) is an hour-long video presentation of Wells' findings. While certainly nowhere near as thorough as the book, the facts are still as compelling and every bit as devastating to Darwinism, and perhaps more importantly, to Neo-Darwinism.

Produced by ColdWater Media, this DVD is well-made and well-produced - this is no amateur presentation. From the menus to the extras and to both the video and audio work, the production is solid throughout. The disc includes several bonus features, such as "10 Questions to ask your Biology Teacher," answers from experts to frequently asked questions about evolution (highly recommended!), along with a list of suggested printed and online resources.

Icons of Evolution is appropriate for any audience, but would be most valuable to middle school, high school and college students who will surely encounter most or all of these icons as part of their education. Parents of these students would no-doubt benefit from it as well. The video concludes with several high school level students voicing their concern that they are not considered sufficiently intelligent and discerning to be taught various theories as to the origins of the world. Do they not gain more by following the foundations of the scientific theory even as they attempt to understand the origins of life? Why is it that Darwinism is considered fact - the only valid and responsible explanation?

This presentation focuses far more on disproving the icons of evolution than on teaching Creationism. In fact, Creationism is rarely mentioned. Many of the scientists interviewed are not Creationists, but are believers in evolution who are sufficiently honest to admit to the growing number of problems inherent within this explanation for the origins of life. Perhaps that increases its value. Of course by disproving many of the foundations of evolution, I am confident that viewers will be led the only plausible alternative, which is Intelligent Design. Surely the origins of life can only be adequately explained by admitted that where there is Creation, there must be a Creator.

This video is compelling and convicting and is a must-have for any library - church, school or public. Buy one for yourself and lend it to your family and friends. Icons of Evolution is a devastating examination of myth that is being taught as fact. I unreservedly recommend it.

interesting how most of the reviews that are negative never address the issues brought up in the DVD they simply try to scare you with "religion is trying to take over schools..." It would do them well to actually look at the data

Fast-paced, gripping, and richly visual, this documentary explodes the worn-out stereotype depicting the controversy over evolution as a battle between intolerant religious fundamentalists opposed to Darwin's theory and valiant Darwinists who are defenders of academic freedom and free inquiry. One of my favorite parts of the video is when a high school biology teacher is actually forbidden by school administrators from assigning an article by noted evolutionist Stephen Jay Gould because the article exposes bogus evidence for evolution still printed in many textbooks. Watching this video will be an eye-opening experience for anyone who thinks Darwinists believe in free inquiry. You will see a leading Darwinist contend (on camera) that science isn't democratic and that students shouldn't learn about inaccuracies in their textbooks (or scientists who are critical of parts of evolutionary theory) because the students might be confused by the truth. Buy this video and send it to every school board member or donate a copy to your local library.

There are many conflicting views on the subject of evolution. This video encourages you to think critically and explores new research and the most common arguments presented in the high school and college textbooks-the "icons" of evolution. What a radical idea-presenting both sides of the argument! Sure to ruffle a few feathers. Artfully done and wrapped around a good story.

No religion, just the science. Why do evolutionists avoid the debate in the classroom, they dont like the latest answers science is providing. This DVD is a first class documentary that takes the tough questions head on. World class biologists discuss Darwin's theoretical flaws.
Every middle school kid should see this film. A+++