references to a "missing link" demonstrate a misunderstanding of evolution. PZ Myers explains.

Daniel Florien pointed to this article on the fine line between divine inspiration and religious insanity.

Hemant Mehta highlighted and commented on a post by Bobby Henderson, creator of The Church of The Flying Spaghetti Monster, wherein Henderson expresses concern over the impression he has of atheists often being jerks.

here's a handy flowchart for debating religious people. (image)

Chris Hallquist objects to the comparison between Alvin Plantinga and Richard Dawkins saying that the scientific ignorance of some philosophers is certainly a deeper problem than the philosophical ignorance of some scientists.

there's been news bouncing around alleging that fossil remains recently discovered in Israel represent the oldest example of modern humans, pushing back the existence of modern humans from 200,000 years ago to 400,000 years ago. Carl Zimmer addresses the find to point out that the find doesn't represent what it is said to and nor do the paper's authors claim that it does. Brian Switek provides a close look at the find and concludes the same thing.

how did the universe go from it's initial smooth state to the clumpy state we find it in now? how much matter, dark energy, and dark matter are in the universe today?

John Danaher continues with his fantastic series on determinism (links to the first two parts at the link).

haven't you heard? giant spaceships are going to attack in December 2012!

debunking and explaining the "spinning girl illusion"...

which celebrities are science illiterate whack jobs? find out here.