Supporters of Intelligent Design...?

Question

...just how do you explain dust?



Wait, I know, you'll have to ask God when you meet him, right?!

That'll learn me to try and be profound when I'm running a fever.

What I actually meant to ask was "explain the _purpose_ of dust" - as in the layer of grit which collects on every surface. Sure skin cells is part of it, but then what's the purpose of constant skin regeneration in the ID context?

Perhaps I misunderstand the whole thing. I'll come at it from a different angle once I crawl out of my sick bed.

But some interesting takes so far, thanks.

Answer 1

Huh? It's all part of the process.

Answer 2

Oh dear Fuds, you bumbled into a right bunch this time, didn't you ? :-)

Yes, I am a supporter of 'Intelligent Design', however, as I have found necessary to point out a few times in this august gathering, that absolutely does NOT mean that I have just done some kind of legerdemaine on 'God' and tried to slide the old f*rt in under a new cover.

I do have a more or less coherent ( hahahaha coherent .... me ! ) explanation for this, and the dust thing as actually quite a good analogy. so let's give it a whirl.

Following the ballistic inclinations of the 'Big Bangers' after all the 'stuff' goes out from the 'centre' every quark, and every Higgs-Boson ( the 'God' particle to the uninitiated ! ), every electron, and every proton ( I won't mention the neutrons, they're so ..... well..... neutral, wishy washy little wimps ) every atom, every molecule and everything on up to the Governer of California's biceps, all the components of 'Life' are charged with awareness, at some level, that's why the poor old Jains go around sweeping the floor in front of them , just in case it's anyone important, like Granny or Mahatmacoat or someone.

They misunderstand, as usual. So much misunderstanding, when it's all so simple, well almost.

The human obsession with the size of things is quite remarkable, always measuring stuff, never stop. When the real beauty is in the smallest of things, a snowflake, a molecule of water, seen through it's crystalline structure, and yes, a dust particle.

Everything has it's own awareness, and it's own beauty, and it's own place in the scheme of things.

Quite intelligent, really. ;-)

Answer 3

Its not an important issue.
All things have a purpose.
Like 1 answr'er already gave a scientific explaination.
I am not a scientist so I wouldn't know how correct, the answer is.
How about U take a look @ The Great Barrier Reef;
then come back*. Or the Cocos Island.
You cannot say intelligent design
does not have an intelligent creator.
With credibility, anyways.
Look! what I'm using...a computer...
and I'm using my brain too!
* come back when ur better,
get some rest, lotsa fluids.
we'll still b here.

Answer 4

"This present-day version of God of the gaps goes by a fresh name: "intelligent design." The term suggests that some entity, endowed with a mental capacity far greater than the human mind can muster, created or enabled all the things in the physical world that we cannot explain through scientific methods.

"An interesting hypothesis.

"But why confine ourselves to things too wondrous or intricate for us to understand, whose existence and attributes we then credit to a superintelligence? Instead, why not tally all those things whose design is so clunky, goofy, impractical, or unworkable that they reflect the absence of intelligence?

"Take the human form. We eat, drink, and breathe through the same hole in the head, and so, despite Henry J. Heimlich's eponymous maneuver, choking is the fourth leading cause of "unintentional injury death" in the United States. How about drowning, the fifth leading cause? Water covers almost three-quarters of Earth's surface, yet we are land creatures—submerge your head for just a few minutes, and you die.

"Or take our collection of useless body parts. What good is the pinky toenail? How about the appendix, which stops functioning after childhood and thereafter serves only as the source of appendicitis? Useful parts, too, can be problematic. I happen to like my knees, but nobody ever accused them of being well protected from bumps and bangs. These days, people with problem knees can get them surgically replaced. As for our pain-prone spine, it may be a while before someone finds a way to swap that out.

"How about the silent killers? High blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes each cause tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S. every year, but it's possible not to know you're afflicted until your coroner tells you so. Wouldn't it be nice if we had built-in biogauges to warn us of such dangers well in advance? Even cheap cars, after all, have engine gauges.

"And what comedian designer configured the region between our legs—an entertainment complex built around a sewage system?

"The eye is often held up as a marvel of biological engineering. To the astrophysicist, though, it's only a so-so detector. A better one would be much more sensitive to dark things in the sky and to all the invisible parts of the spectrum. How much more breathtaking sunsets would be if we could see ultraviolet and infrared. How useful it would be if, at a glance, we could see every source of microwaves in the environment, or know which radio station transmitters were active. How helpful it would be if we could spot police radar detectors at night.

"Think how easy it would be to navigate an unfamiliar city if we, like birds, could always tell which way was north because of the magnetite in our heads. Think how much better off we'd be if we had gills as well as lungs, how much more productive if we had six arms instead of two. And if we had eight, we could safely drive a car while simultaneously talking on a cell phone, changing the radio station, applying makeup, sipping a drink, and scratching our left ear.

"Stupid design could fuel a movement unto itself. It may not be nature's default, but it's ubiquitous. Yet people seem to enjoy thinking that our bodies, our minds, and even our universe represent pinnacles of form and reason. Maybe it's a good antidepressant to think so. But it's not science—not now, not in the past, not ever."

Quoted from Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson's "The Perimeter of Ignorance."

Answer 5

Dust has intelligence? Artificial intelligence? Aren't they taking this nanotechnology thing a bit too far?!

A basic law of science is that the effect is less than the cause. So, if dust has intelligence and it is the effect, then the cause must of necessity, be greater. Ergo, Intelligent Designer.

Answer 6

No, dont wait, for God already told me that everything of the creation, including dust and dirt or whatever, is all part of the 'intelligent design' meant to be of infinite variety. The offer is of Unlimited Choice.

Answer 7

What do you mean by explain dust. On the earth or being made out of it? Our bodies return to dust after death makes sense that our lifeforce, our blood, our souls, are the only things holding it together. Little more detail in the question please.

Answer 8

"Dust in homes, offices, and other human environments is mainly generated by the inhabitants (especially domesticated pets such as dogs, cats and birds), and mainly from their skin cells that slough off.[citation needed] Some atmospheric dust from the outdoors is also present. On average, approximately 6 mg/m2/day[1] of house dust is formed in private households, depending primarily on the amount of time spent at home. "Dust bunnies" are little clumps of fluff that form when sufficient dust accumulates.

Insects and other small fauna found in houses have their own subtle interactions with dust that may have adverse impact on the health of its regular occupants. Thus, in many climates it is wise to keep a modicum of airflow going through a house, by keeping doors and windows open or at least slightly ajar. In colder climates, it is essential to manage dust and airflow, since the climate encourages occupants to seal even the smallest air gaps, and thus eliminate any possibility of fresh air entering.

House dust mites are on all surfaces and even suspended in air. Dust mites feed on minute particles of organic matter, the main constituent of house dust. They excrete enzymes to digest dust particles; these enzymes and their feces, in turn, become part of house dust and can provoke allergic reactions in humans. Dust mites flourish in the fibers of bedding, furniture, and carpets.

The particles that make up house dust can easily become airborne, so care must be exercised when removing dust, as the activity intended to sanitize or remove dust may make it airborne. One way to repel dust is with some kind of electrical charge, but house dust can be removed by as many as 10 methods, such as: wiping, swiping, or sweeping by hand, or with a dust cloth, sponge, duster, or broom, or by suction by a vacuum cleaner or air filter. The device being used traps the dust; however, some may become airborne and come to settle in the cleaner's lungs, thus making the activity somewhat hazardous."

Answer 9

Why would dust have to be explained by supporters of intelligent design...all they have to say is "God made dust..." Maybe I'm confused by the question. But it seems like you could say "explain coal, explain gems" but none of it disproves intelligent design...or if it does please explain how.

Answer 10

Dust is the Ultimate Creation. It has no calories.
Amusing question, it certainly drew out the 'one line detractors'.
Living proof of my hypothesis - they're obviously not the examples to be trotted out if you want to prove that humankind are the ultimate creation, unless, of course, you want to lose the argument....

Answer 11

You mean, dust in your head? Wait, I know, you were not designed intelligently.