Cultural evolution?

Score one for the good guys in the ongoing battle between the 21st century and the 15th: A federal judge ordered the removal of stickers claiming evolution is "a theory, not a fact" from high school biology books in suburban Atlanta.

Scientists, several of whom testified in the case, say the sticker confuses the scientific term "theory" with the word's common usage and inappropriately combines science with personal religious belief.

(For a prior humorous rant about the Georgia stickers, see this, and for a discussion of Intelligent Design and science as a way of viewing the world, start here.)
Of course, the local religious conservatives decry another foul act by "activist judges."

The school district just north of Atlanta approved the stickers after more than 2,000 parents complained the textbooks presented evolution as fact, without mentioning rival ideas about the beginnings of life.

Just another battle in the ongoing Fundamentalism Wars taking place in countries around the globe. In Europe (most notably France and The Netherlands), this seems to be taking the form of debates about Muslim girls who want to wear the veil, but here in the US our fundies are home-grown, so it seems to be about whether we pass along to the next generation our current best understanding of the natural world.

(news via LaDiDa)

And yes, Jeremy, I haven't forgotten your question. It may get some time this weekend...