intelligent design in Nature

[Anita F. Cholewa]

This whole discussion has been interesting.  It leads me, however, to
point out that we scientists clearly do not always communicate well to
our students or the general public.  If we are sloppy in the use of
language, it becomes our own fault when the public miscontrues what we
say (my local newspaper has recently had a few letters to the editor
about the incorrect use of  "theory" as a synonym for "hypothesis").  If
we anthropomophize our comments about nature, we do a disservice.
Perhaps, those of us who act as journal editors and reviewers, should
become much more aggressive in pointing out such things to authors.

Anita
_________

Anita F. Cholewa, Ph.D.

Curator of plants and Herbarium manager

Bell Museum Natural History

University of Minnesota

1445 Gortner Ave

St Paul MN 55108

612-625-0215