Intelligent Design Theory: Science or Religion?

And an alleged burning of a cross on a student's arm with a Tesla coil was like manna from heaven to the lickspittals and lackeys of Big Business.

Venus Flytrap's close their "traps" by causing the cells on the exterior surface of the hinge to suddenly expand (due to water pressure) faster than the other surface.

http://www.flytrapcare.com/trapping-mechanism-of-a-venus-flytrap.html

It's alcoholic beverages.

I quoted Veblen, before that nonsense about the handling of orange juice by Big Business, which is quite intelligently designed, saying ". . . the rural community is still shot through with prehistoric animism in a degree that passes the comprehension of any person whose habits of thought have been shaped by the technology of physics and chemistry."

That should not be taken to mean that that is the only thing that passes the comprehension of any person whose habits of thought have been shaped by the technology of physics and chemistry.

I thought I should make that clear.

now, Ill bet that the chemical responsible can be tracked back through the flytraps developmental evolution so that any "ID" mechanism (ie "Sudden appearance" or "irreducible complexities") can be linked to precursors.

What is the original precursor?

It would be interesting to track back how these types of mechanisms evolved, but I don't know if it's ever been attempted in these particular cases.

One speculation goes like this:
"This characteristic is quite common within the Mimosoideae subfamily of the legume family, Fabaceae. The stimulus can also be transmitted to neighboring leaves. It is not known exactly why Mimosa pudica evolved this trait, but many scientists think that the plant uses its ability to shrink as a defense from predators. Animals may be afraid of a fast moving plant and would rather eat a less active one. Another possible explanation is that the sudden movement dislodges harmful insects."

After watching videos like the one below, I might speculate that the movement might be a protection from rain or wind (by reducing the surface area of the plant and making it less likely to be damaged).

we have severalMimosa japonic(?) out in our East pasture. It has a "sort of" sensitive reaction during storms .Although its not as fast as the species in your flick , it does slowly react and the leaves close within a minute or alightly more. M japonica produces gobs of pinkish pendulous flowers. Theyre a hummingbird magnet. During the summer the trees are loded with hummers who get really territorial to everything including me.
MAybe theres some complex strtgy for attraction of commensals.

Your idea about rain and wind does seem more believable than mere predation cause most plants use herbivores to help spred theiur kind

That's pathetic. It's trying to look scientific when you haven't a clue.

The rain and wind has already been discounted fm. Do you really have no idea about evolution?

We have a weed in North Queensland, Mimosa Pigra, evil stuff - some people call it 'Touchweed' closes pretty instantly. It would be cute except for the thorns. Infests lawns if you don't pull it out by the roots.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimosa_in_Australia

I'm guessing as well that predation isn't a big issue for it. I thought the contraction would reduce transpiration, but I don't know how touch mimics a 'low humidity' detection.

With all plants predation is axiomatic.

I see that theyve introduced some mimosa eating beetles which , they say, may be the only effective control for this stuff. Then after the mimosa is under control , the beetles will march on Darwin.

So we have a better description of these plnts. They seem like a natura kra'al cause animals wont readily slog through it.
Maybe the mechanism of the laf closing IS better a means to control transpiration but it also hs a "hair trigger" mechanism that reacts to touch.

MAny plants have a "Droop"echanism that goes into effect in very hot ry conditions (But not hot humid conditions). STuff like corn will seem to wilt as a transpiration limiting action.
Dunno but its an amazing little plant

That's an odd post for an evolutionist.

All plants are equally amazing. Only an anthromorphist would take some feature from one and allow himself to be expansive on the matter as an excuse to not answer the pertinent questions.

Animals will slog through anything if it helps them survive.

I've just had a thought - wind! That would act like touch and be a useful trigger to a plant's systems that it was losing moisture faster than optimum.

ROAD TRIP!!! We need to study this in the field.

Unless it is adapted to wind.

I've always wanted to run through a field of sensitive plants just to see the wilted trail it leaves behind. I've heard that kids do this in some places (wherever these things grow wild).

That's half-baked leftie materialists all over.

I can see the scene. ros will carry a stick to knock off the flower heads as he goes no doubt.

Anything less helpless is on Ignore.

Farmerman I think that you may find an interest in this video but I doubt spendius will.