[creationevolve] the J files: Life is an accident...yeah right..
Jabriol
The combination of strength and toughness-with relatively light weight-
permeates nature. Tender saplings push through cracks in concrete and rock
and force the cracks wide open as they grow into healthy trees. In turn,
trees can withstand winds that topple power poles and rip house apart.
Woodpeckers bore into wood and subject their heads to forces that would turn
an ordinary brain to pulp. Crocodile and alligator hides deflect spears,
arrows, and even bullets. Such things have both awed and baffled humans for
thousands of years.
Over the past 40 years, major leaps in technology have given scientists
powerful new tools to use in studying the secrets behind these designs, most
of which are hidden deep within the living cell. On this microscopic scale,
the quality of design in truly breathtaking and staggering in complexity.
The aim of science, however, is not just to crack the secrets underlying
nature's remarkable materials but to copy them-at least in general
principle. So promising is this field of study that it has led to the
creation of a new science called biomimetics, from the Greek bi'os, meaning
"life," and mi'me-sis, meaning "imitation."
"Biomimetics is the study of biological structures [and] their functions,"
explains the book Biomimetics: Design and Processing of Materials. It adds
that this study is for the purpose of 'stimulating new ideas and developing
these ideas into synthetic systems similar to those found in biological
systems.'
Scientist Stephen Wainwright says that "biomimetics will engulf molecular
biology and replace it as the most challenging and important biological
science of the 21st century." Professor Mehmet Sarikaya claims: "We are on
the brink of a materials revolution that will be on a par with the Iron Age
and the Industrial Revolution. We are leaping forward into a new era of
materials. Within the next century, I think biomimetics will significantly
alter the way in which we live."
In fact, it has already begun to alter our world, as we shall see. But
first, let us look briefly at a few of the as-yet-unfathomed marvel
scientists are busy studying. We will also examine the sobering
implications behind the word "design" and see how these give meaning to the
amazing world around us.
the aim of the science of biomimetics is to produce more complex materials
and machines by imitating nature. Nature manufactures its products without
causing pollution, and they tend to be resilient and light, yet incredibly
strong.
For example, ounce for ounce, bone is stronger than steel. What is its
secret? Part of the answer lies in its well-engineered shape, but the key
reasons lie deeper-at the molecular level. "The success of living organisms
lies in the design and assembly of their smallest components," explain
Gates. As a result of peering into these smallest components, scientist
have isolated the substances that give natural products from bone to silk
their envied strength and light weight. These substances, they have
discovered, are various forms of natural composites.
Composites are solid materials that result when two or more substances are
combined to form a new substance containing properties that are superior to
those of the original ingredients. This can be illustrated by the synthetic
composite fiberglass, which is commonly used in boat hulls, fishing rods,
bow, arrow, and other sporting goods. Fiberglass is made by setting fine
fibers of glass in a liquid or jellylike matrix of plastic (called a
polymer). When the polymer hardens, or sets, the end result is a composite
that is lightweight, strong, and flexible. If the kinds of fibers and the
matrix are varied, and enormously broad range of products can be made. Of
course, man-made composites are still crude compared with those found
naturally in humans, animals, and plants.
In humans and animals, instead of fibers or glass or carbon, a fibrous
protein called collagen forms the basis of the composites that give strength
to the skin, intestines, cartilage, tendons, bones, and teeth (except for
the enamel). One reference work describes collagen-based composites as being
"among the most advanced structural composite materials known."
For example, consider tendons, which tie muscle to bone. Tendons are
remarkable, not just because of the toughness of their collagen-based fibers
but also because of the brilliant way these fibers are woven together. In
her book Biomimicry, Janine Benyus writes that the unraveled tendon "is
almost unbelievable in its multileveled precision. The tendon in your
forearm is a twisted bundle of cables, like the cables used in a suspension
bridge. Each individual cable is itself a twisted bundle of thinner cables.
Each of these thinner cables is itself a twisted bundle of molecules, which
are, of course, twisted, helical bundles or atoms. Again and again a
mathematical beauty unfolds." It is, she says, "engineering brilliance." Is
it any surprise that scientist speak of being inspired by nature's designs?
As mentioned, man-made composites pale when compare with those of nature.
Still, synthetics are remarkable products. In fact, they are listed among
the ten most outstanding engineering achievements of the past 25 years. For
example, composites based on graphite or carbon fibers have led to new
generations or aircraft and spacecraft parts, sporting goods, Formula One
race cars, yachts, and lightweight artificial limbs- to mention just a few
items in a rapidly growing inventory.
Whales and dolphins don't know it, but their bodies are wrapped in a miracle
tissue-blubber, a form of fat. "Whale blubber is perhaps the most
multifunctional material we know," says the book Biomimetics: Design and
Processing of Materials. Explaining why, it adds that blubber is a marvelous
flotation device and so helps whales surface for air. It provides these
warm-blooded mammals with excellent insulation against the cold of the
ocean. And it is also the best possible food reserve during nonfeeding
migrations over thousands of miles. Indeed, ounce for ounce, fat yields
between two and three times as much energy as protein and sugar.
"Blubber is also a very bouncy ruberlike material," according to the
above-mentioned book. "Our best estimate now is that acceleration caused by
the elastic recoil of blubber that is compressed and stretched with each
tail stroke may save up to 20% of the cost of locomotion during extended
periods of continuous swimming."
Blubber has been harvested for centuries, yet only recently has it come to
light that about half the volume of blubber consists of a complex mesh of
collagen fibers wrapped around each animal. Although the workings of this
fat-composite mix, they believe that they have discovered yet another
miracle product that would have any useful applications if produced
synthetically.
In recent years scientist have also been looking very closely at the spider.
They are keen to understand how it manufactures spider silk, which is also a
composite. True, a broad range of insects produce silk, yet spider silk is
special. One of the strongest materials on earth, it "is the stuff that
dreams are made of," said science writer. Spider silk is so outstanding
that a list of its amazing properties would seem unbelievable.
Why do scientists use superlatives when describing spider silk? Besides
being five times stronger than steel, it is also highly elastic-a rare
combination in materials. Spider silk stretches 30 percent farther than the
most elastic nylon. Yet, it does not bounce like a trampoline and so throw
the spider's meal into the air. "On the human scale," says Science News, "a
web resembling a fishing net could catch a passenger plane."
If we could copy the spider's chemical wizardy-two species even produce
seven varieties of silk-imagine how it could be put to use! In vastly
improved seat belts as well as in sutures, artificial ligaments, lightweight
lines and cables, and bulletproof fabrics, to name just a few possibilities.
Scientists are also trying to understand how the spider makes silk so
efficiently-and with- out the use of toxic chemicals.
Gearboxes and jet engines keep today's world on the move. But did you know
that nature also beat us to these designs? Take the gearbox, for example.
Gearboxes allow you to change gears in your vehicle so as to get the most
efficient use out of the motor. Nature's gearbox does the same, but it does
not link engine to wheels. Rather, it links wings to wings! And where can it
be found? In the common fly. The fly has a three-speed gearshift connected
to its wing, allowing it to change gears while in the air!
The squid, the octopus, and the nautilus all have a form of jet propulsion
that drives them through the water. Scientists view these jets with envy.
Why? Because they are composed of soft parts that cannot break, that can
withstand great depths, and that run silently and efficiently. In fact, a
squid can jet along at up to 20 miles an hour when fleeing predators,
"sometimes even leaping out of the water and onto the decks of ships," says
the book Wild Technology.
Yes, taking just a few moments to reflect on the natural world can fill us
with awe and appreciation. Nature truly is a living puzzle that prompts one
question after another: What chemical marvels ignite the brilliant, cold
light in fireflies and certain algae? How do various arctic fish and frogs,
after being frozen solid for the winter, become active again when they thaw
out? How do whales and seals stay under the water for long periods without a
breathing apparatus? And how do they repeatedly dive to great depths without
getting decompression sickness, commonly called the bends? How do chameleons
and cuttlefish change color to blend with their surroundings? How do
hummingbirds cross the Gulf of Mexico on less than one tenth of an ounce of
fuel? It seems that the list of questions could go on endlessly?
Truly, humans can only look on and wonder. Scientists develop an awe
"bordering on reverence" when they study nature, says the book Biomimicry.
Associate professor of biochemistry Michael Behe stated that one result of
recent discoveries within the living cell "is a loud, clear, piercing, cry
of 'design!'" He added that this result of efforts to study the cell "is so
unambiguous and so significant that it must be ranked as one of the greatest
achievements in the history of science."
Understandably, evidence of a Designer creates problems for those who adhere
to the theory of evolution, for evolution cannot account for the
sophisticated design within living things, especially at the cellular and
molecular levels. "There are compelling reasons," says Behe, "to think that
a Darwinian explanation for the mechanisms of life will forever prove
elusive."
In Darwin's time the living cell-the foundation of life-was though to be
simple, and the theory of evolution was conceived in that era of relative
ignorance. But now science has gone past that. Molecular biology and
biomimicetics have proved beyond all doubt that the cell is an
extraordinarily complex system packed with exquisite, perfect designs that
make the inner workings of our most sophisticated gadgets and machines look
like child's play by comparison.
Brilliant design leads us to the logical conclusion, says Behe, "that life
was designed by an intelligent agent." Is it not reasonable, therefore, that
this Agent also has a purpose, one that includes humans? If so, what is that
purpose? And can we learn more about our Designer himself? The following
article will examine those important questions.
Even many scientists would agree that the so-called book of nature leaves a
reasonable mind with no doubt that there is a Designer, a Creator. Long ago
the Christian apostle Paul wrote that God's "invisible qualities are clearly
seen from the world's creation onward, because they are perceived by the
things made, even his eternal power and Godship." But the book of nature is
not a complete revelation of Goad and of his will. It does not, for
example, reveal the purpose of life. Thankfully, creation's Author has
revealed himself in another book-his inspired Word, the Bible.
Though not a science book, the Bible answers all the vital questions that
the natural world does not. It answers one of the first questions most
people ask when studying a brilliant piece of handiwork-Who made it?
Regarding creations, note what the Bible says at Revelation 4:11: "You are
worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the
power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed
and were created." Yes, the Great Designer is Jehovah God, and his name
appears some 7,000 times in the original manuscripts of the Bible.
About 3,500 years before our scientific era, a man by the name of Job,
obviously a keen observer of nature and a thinking person, associated
Jehovah's name with creation. Job said: "Ask, please, the domestic animals,
and they will instruct you; also the winged creatures of the heavens, and
they will tell you. Or show your concern to the earth, and it will instruct
you; and the fishes of the sea will declare it to you." What do they all
teach about creation? Job answers with a question: "Who among all these does
not well know that the hand of Jehovah itself has done this?"
The Bible also reveals Jehovah's purpose for humankind. What is that
purpose? It is that righteous humans enjoy the gift of everlasting life in
Paradise- right here on earth. "The righteous themselves will possess the
earth, and they will reside forever upon it," says Psalm 37:29. Similarly,
Jesus said: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."
Furthermore, thanks to a special kind of knowledge, the earth will remain a
peaceful paradise. Says Isaiah 11:9. "They will not do any harm or cause any
ruin in all m hold mountain; because the earth will certainly be filled with
the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea." In fact,
"the knowledge of Jehovah" is the key to endless life, peace, and happiness.
Jesus confirmed this when he said: "This means everlasting life, their
taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent
forth, Jesus Christ."
In gaining everlasting life, humans will at last be able to enjoy the earth
as God originally intended. And far from being boring, eternal life will be
an endless adventure of discovery and joy.
Ecclesiates 3:11 says: "Everything [God] has made pretty in its time. Even
time indefinite he has put in their heart, that mankind may never find out
the work that the true God has made from the start to the finish." Soon,
with the natural human desire to live to "time indefinite," or forever,
completely satisfied, we will be able to try to 'find out the work God has
made from the start to the finish.' Yes, the whole earth will be our
classroom, Jehovah will be our Teacher, and life will be a thrilling,
unending voyage of discovery.
Picture yourself in Paradise, perfect in mind and body. You embrace
challenges that you would not even dream of accepting now- and you know that
you will be able to see them through to the very conclusion, whether that
takes a hundred years or a thousand. Perhaps you may even be able to use
your perfect faculties to copy some of Jehovah's designs-but in ways that
are far superior to mankind's present efforts, which often harm and pollute.
Yes, like Jehovah, you will be governed by love in all that you do.
Why do we know that this is not just fanciful dreaming? Because of Jehovah's
tow magnificent "books." Yes, the Bible and creation furnish irrefutable
proof that nothing is impossible for our Grand Designer and Creator. SO why
not get to know him and his Son, Jesus Christ, better now? You could not
engage in a more interesting, worthwhile, and promising endeavor.
--
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Moochy Goochy
X-No Archive: Yes
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Jabriol <jab...@catalan.org> wrote in message
news:pHWi4.5955$lN4.2...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
>
>
> Why do we know that this is not just fanciful dreaming? Because of
Jehovah's
> tow magnificent "books."
## So now God wrote TWO Bibles? If there was a God he wouldn't have needed
mere man to write any Bible as he would have written it him/herself.
Yes, the Bible and creation furnish irrefutable
> proof that nothing is impossible for our Grand Designer and Creator.
## There is no evidence of a creation but tons of evidence of evolution so
get with the times. The Bible is nothing but a collection of old writings
and scribblings of an ancient civilization.
SO why
> not get to know him and his Son, Jesus Christ, better now?
## Because they don't exist. And Jesus has been dead or 2,000 years.
You could not
> engage in a more interesting, worthwhile, and promising endeavor.
## What's interesting about the ancient history of a long gone peoples on
another continent. BORING! BORING!
--
Carol... New Computer viruses:
Prozac virus... Screws up your RAM but your processor
doesn't care.
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