The Evolving Classroom


Here’s Patrick’s take on the “Evolution” edition of Sketchwar.

A college classroom. A wizened gray haired professor stands in front of a

large lecture hall and dozens and dozens of fresh faced freshman.

PROFESSOR

Welcome to Biology 101. We begin our journey into the biological sciences with evolution, the story of...

STUDENT

(cutting off professor)

I don’t believe in evolution. Will we be considering intelligent design?

PROFESSOR

No, we won’t be considering intelligent design, nor creationism of any kind in this classroom.

STUDENT

Why?

PROFESSOR

Because the Bible, whatever it may be, isn’t a scientific text. And if one wanted to treat it like one, they would need to learn ancient Hebrew, Coptic, ancient Greek, and all the other languages the Bible was written in.

STUDENT

Why?

PROFESSOR

Because those are the languages the Bible was originally written in.

STUDENT

Why?

PROFESSOR

Because...well...it’s. I mean. Those were the languages of the time.

STUDENT

Why?

PROFESSOR

Because the Bible wasn’t written in English, those were the languages... I mean. Human language...has changed over time.

STUDENT

Why?

PROFESSOR

Because language evolves....

STUDENT

(cutting off professor)

Oh, I don’t believe in evolution.

Student packs his bags and leaves. The professor looks up toward the heavens.

PROFESSOR

Why?