Art Caplan: ‘Expelled’ isn't just bad, it's immoral

[Cross-posted from blog.bioethics.net]

Over at MSNBC, Art writes that Ben Stein's intelligent design documentary is not just bad -- it's immoral:

Rarely has a movie subtitle so capably assessed a movie’s content as does "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed." There is not a shred of intelligence on display in this just released "documentary" purporting to be a careful examination of the fight over teaching creationism and evolution in America.

The movie seeks to explain why, as a matter of freedom of speech, intelligent design should be taught in America’s science classrooms and presented in America’s publicly funded science museums. But what is really on display in this film is a toxic mishmash of persecution fantasies, disconnected and inappropriate references to fallen communist regimes and their leaders and a very repugnant form of Holocaust denial from the monotone big mouth Ben Stein.

(read the rest)

Following up on the Expelled Manufactroversy

In a follow-up to our Kathryn's earlier posts on manufactroversy and Ben Stein's Expelled, I thought our readers might enjoy reading what Andrea Thompson of the Live Science Blog had to say about the movie Expelled:

"If you’re heading out to the movie theater this weekend, I wouldn’t recommend spending your money on 'Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed,' the latest attempt by the intelligent design movement to infiltrate science classrooms and labs with a decidedly unscientific idea.

The movie bills itself as a documentary, though as the New York Times review quite aptly put it, the film is more like 'a conspiracy-theory rant masquerading as investigative inquiry.' "

Thompson's commentary includes reference to Sciam's excellent Six Things in Expelled That Ben Stein Doesn't Want You to Know... and the review by Richard Dawkins’ and the one by biologist and blogger PZ Myers. She also does a great job in pointing the reader to explanations of evolution (and some of the varying ideas about it), at this article or this one. And for a discussion of intelligent design, check out this piece.

All in all, the piece echoes Sciam's review, accessible here. And if you want a little chuckle, check out Youtube parody, Sexpelled: