Ida-know? I Dunno

Evolution and Intelligent Design. I know the arguments for both of these. I know the arguments against both of these. Have I sold myself to either one of these ideas of how humanity (as well as other animals, the world, and the environment) came to be? No, not really. Why not? I couldn’t find without-a-shadow-of-a-doubt proof for either one that would convince me that either one is an absolute truth or fact of how things came to be. And let’s face it, if I don’t have concrete proof, then I will doubt and fail to recognize whatever it is I doubt as ‘the way it is’ or an absolute truth.

On the subject of Evolution and Intelligent Design, it is very hard (for me) to come to an absolute truth. ‘It’s not like we can go back in time and find out (which is truth)’ was something I once told my mom when I explained to her why I no longer thought Intelligent Design was the answer. She told me the proof (for Intelligent Design) was everywhere and that I just needed to open my eyes and look around. I must be blind then, for I have yet to see any proof of Intelligent Design being fact.

There are people who think that I am constantly looking for answers under my current thought pattern, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s not like I daily think ‘Gee, I wonder how humanity (as well as other animals, the world, and the environment) came to be.’ No, I get by fine in my days without letting the thought cross through my mind. I let my mind think about other things going on in my life, like tests and essays or the book I’m reading (which is fantastic). I have other things to worry about like work, school, my future, and dance. When I do have time to think, really dwell on important subjects, my mind tends to focus on culture and modern history. It even wanders over to my belief in no God or higher power, based on the fact there is not sufficient proof to say one indefinitely exists. And if anyone tells me the proof of there being a God or higher power is there and I just have to ‘open my eyes and look around’ to see it, I’ve already tried. Remember, I’m blind…or something like that. But either way, my mind never really grazes over Intelligent Design and Evolution for too long. When it does, it’s a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence. That was until last night, when I learned of Ida. Since I learned of Ida, the subject has been swimming in my mind and consuming my thoughts. Thoughts I feel the need to share.

You may ask 'Who's Ida?' Well on May 19th, it was reported that the missing link was found in the form of a 47 million year old primate named Ida. She was discovered in 1983 near the village of Messel in Germany. For scientific classification, Ida has been classified under the Animalia kingdom, the Chordata phylum, the Mammalia class, the Primates order, the Notharctidae family, the Cercamoniiae subfamily, and Darwinius genus. Her species name is Darwinius masillae and she fits best under the basal or stem group of primates. Her age at time of death has been equated to 8 months old (equivalent to 9 years old for humans).

Since word of Ida’s discovery was made public, the media has gone insane. Some have made it a point to knock Ida down (as they also did with the ever famous Lucy fossil) and discredit her as fraud, while others seem to praise this discovery and have even hailed her as a ‘Holy Grail’ to the scientific community. Google jumped on this bandwagon and made her fossil the logo on their website on May 20, 2009.

It seems like everyone is ready to believe that this really is our ancestor and answer to prove Evolution as an absolute truth to all the undecided (and somewhat apathetic) minds like mine. But honestly, I’m not sure she really is the missing link to human existence. And yet so much of me wants to jump on the media circus bandwagon and praise Ida as the others/media have, while the rest of me wants to find out more about Ida before I come to such a grand and definite conclusion. So far, the rest is winning (thanks to self-control). I don't 100% disagree with what those other people are saying. I do agree with scientists claiming she is a great-great-great-great (add a few more greats) aunt rather than a great-great-great-great (add the same number of greats) grandmother. Though in my words, I wouldn’t claim that she 'is' for certain, but 'may' be. And there’s that uncertain word again: may.

Now, I will admit, I am more inclined to believe Evolution over Intelligent Design, so it’s not like I am clearly set against believing Ida’s the missing link. I do believe Evolution to be truth over Intelligent Design, but will not claim either one as an absolute truth. I do admit and acknowledge that there is more substantial proof (both physical and scientific) for Evolution over Intelligent Design (whose proof is mainly faith based and not good enough in my mind). Even with this, I can’t admit that I give my full heart to Evolution as the answer. I really want to, but something in me still isn’t sure. Call it stubbornness if you will, but even that sounds harsh compared to what's really going on inside my mind. I want to accept Evolution as absolute truth and know that in my mind there is a 85% chance of it being absolute truth. But even then, 85% is not the 100% I want it to be. I'm an not content with a B on this subject.

Ida has really stirred up things in my head by opening this can of worms in there, though I suppose it (the metaphorical can) needed to stop collecting dust eventually. Feels good to actually contemplate my views along with current issues and important topics for once instead of worrying about all I need to get done before my graduation in June. While I am still not willing to give an answer as to what I think of how humanity (as well as other animals, the world, and the environment) came to be, I am very interested in finding out more about Ida and figuring out more about Evolution. I want to cement my inclination towards Evolution and hopefully bring that 85% up to the 100% I want it to be. Who knows, I might even accept Evolution as an absolute truth of how humanity (as well as other animals, the world, and the environment) by Christmas.