Evolution syndrome
Evolution syndrome is the tendency of some people to drool compulsively that human evolution from animals must somehow be true, and to spend nearly all of their time pushing that belief on others. It is reflected on the internet by people who devote over 90% of their edits and postings to pushing their belief in evolution and insisting on censoring or demonizing alternative views of the issue. They are particularly against teaching any alternative theories to children in school. A childish insistence on last wordism is a common characteristic of evolution syndrome.
Characteristics of evolution syndrome include:
- jargon like "quote mining", "moving the goalposts", and "fundie" (derogatory term for a fundamentalist Christian)
- drool
- an utter lack of open-mindedness
- a superficiality or pseudo-intellectualism
- a lack of critical thinking
- over-reliance on name-calling
- ruthlessly demanding "provable fact" by the other side while themselves insisting on unproven theories
- utter intolerance for other positions in science and maliciously ruining the lives of those who hold such views
Evolution syndrome particularly afflicts people who have some educational background without having the intellectual depth of more accomplished peers. Evolution syndrome can be seen on wikis, Usenet groups, faculty positions below full professorships, and some less selective doctoral programs.
There is a high incidence of atheism among this group and indeed, many if not most atheists suffer from evolution syndrome. Whether atheism is a cause of Evolution syndrome or vice-versa is still to be discovered, but the number of theistic Evolutionists suggest that the link is not absolute.
Keeping an open mind, not obsessing about one's own views and avoiding the insistence that others should share his/her view is the key to avoid suffering from evolution syndrome.
