In the ongoing debate of intelligent design versus scientific evolution, film writer and director Randy Olson set out to find which side's advocates can't take flight.
His film, "Flock of Dodos," was screened on campus last week, followed by a six-member panel discussion on Friday in Park Hall.
The film focuses on representing both sides of the controversy, according to Olson. On the one hand there is the evolutionist, who believes that man evolved from apes. On the other hand is the creationist, who believes that God created mankind.
"(The movie) reveals that the people involved in this controversy are mostly well meaning and likable people," said Dr. Charles Mitchell, department chair of geology.
Explaining creationism, the film uses imagery including a wall with holes in it - according to creationists in the film, the holes represent the unexplained and are filled by God.
Some, however, refuse to give up on finding answers to those questions.
"If you say it's a miracle, you stop studying. That's not what science does," said Dr. Clyde Herreid, professor of biological sciences.
Whether or not intelligent design should be taught in schools was also addressed.
"Should this idea of intelligent design be pushed into the classroom?" Herreid said. "And (should it) be given equal authority in the science class?"
According to some members of the panel, intelligent design has recently become a major marketing movement. Meghan Balling, a second year biology graduate student, asked about the social impact of what Olson considers a recent trend.
"What do you think a particularly bias article is going to do for its target audience?" Balling asked.
"(Proponents of intelligent design) know how to work those things," Olson replied. "They can build a big mass movement by reaching that sort of middle crowd that really doesn't have any strong opinions but it seems like a cool thing to be a part of."
According to Mitchell, a positive impact of the movie is that it makes evident the problem of communication between scientists and the public.
"It takes an approach that not all scientists are going to be happy about," Mitchell said. "It points out that scientists are not public relations people and we have a difficult time conveying what we want to say to people outside of the university community."
The film screening and discussion kicked off a series aligned with UB's new multidisciplinary evolution, ecology and behavior graduate program.
"It was our idea to start off with something that would get the public's attention and let them know we're here," Mitchell said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
