-We as humans tend to inflate out evolutionary importance. Proof of this can be seen in the metaphors and models that we use to organize and explain species diversity.
-The ladder and the tree are two organizational metaphors that are commonly used as models for understanding biodiversity and evolution. Both of these models suggest that humans have earned a special place nearest the apex of evolution, superior to all other life forms.
-The ladder metaphor suggests that humans have marched up the ladder of progress and they are superior somehow to the life forms below them. The ladder metaphor is useful only to satisfy human egos.
-Marching up this ladder of progress is not necessarily a good thing. Many species such as mosses, fungi, sharks, and crayfish have changed very little over great expanses of time. They have remained fit enough to survive and reproduce, and this has been enough to secure their existence.
-Just because some organisms have changed and diversified a great deal over a period of time does not mean that they have gotten “better”. They have changed to survive in their current conditions. What was “better” a million years ago may not be “better” today, and what works in one location may not work in another.
-Darwin toyed with the concept of a "tree of life" to explain the evolutionary relationships between different species. -Without it the theory of evolution would never have happened. The tree also helped carry the day for evolution. Darwin argued successfully that the tree of life was a fact of nature, plain for all to see though in need of explanation. The explanation he came up with was evolution by natural selection. -Most branches eventually come to a dead end as species go extinct, but some reach right to the top - these are living species. The tree is thus a record of how every species that ever lived is related to all others right back to the origin of life.
-Unlike the "Tree of Life", the Juniper's branches twist and wind with no set form so that the trunk of the shrub is where its structure comes from. The truck represents the hearty and tough mechanisms of life which proved themselves by lasting the test of time and resulting in the species present today. As for the organization of species in the shrub; there is none. The different thickness and lengths of the branches do not single out any species as the most evolved or better than any other. Instead the species' branches are not distinguishable and with no structure showing how biodiversity is more of a sprawling web with all species intertwined in it with each as equally important as the next.
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The verbal explanations of the three different metaphors to biodiversity were very clear. It was easy to follow along with the definitions and to understand the differences between each of the descriptions. The pictures of the biodiversity webs and ladders were easy to see and were not blurred like I thought they might be. I did not like the visualizations of each metaphor with the stuffed animals and blow up doll. It was hard to tell what some of the stuffed animals were, and I thought it made the description of each metaphor harder to understand. The audio was good though, and compensated for what I felt was lacking in the visual aids.
ReplyDeleteYou all covered the ladder and the Tree of life discussion very well. The first speaker spoke very clearly and at a good volume, it was a little hard to hear the last two who spoke much softer. It was hard to make out what you were saying. I’m having trouble understanding the Juniper analogy that I guess you made as a replacement to the current system. It seems like it might be a shrub, but the anatomy of it is still similar to a tree and unless one branch grows into another represents the same thing. They may be thicker and twisted but the base still represents the Last Universal Common Ancestor and branches there decedents with no representation of recombination, like the Darwin paper discussed.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the video on evolution. I thought the subjects were explained well and easy to follow. I believe that you explained the differences between the ladder, tree, and bush very clearly so that the differences were easily understood. The points made about each were great points and very important to understand. I really enjoyed the video and the visual explantations of each.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you guys used visuals to show concepts and metaphors describing evolution! This was a really helpful way to explain to people the different organizational models. I particularly liked how you guys paired certain music with each model, for instance the dramatic music used with the ladder concept. It showed how the ladder displays dominance and superiority of man in a negative way.
ReplyDelete-- Kirsten Dobson
The interpretation of the ladder and the juniper plant were great! I really enjoyed the video you all put together. I was also able to understand the differences between each explanation of evolution through the clear descriptions and the way it was presented.
ReplyDeleteThe definitions/descriptions of the three metaphors for evolution were very well written. I think you all did a good job of conveying the underlying implications of the ladder and tree metaphors (that humans are superior to other life forms). The voice-overs were also clear and easy to understand. I believe that you could have done better with the visuals, however. It did not seem like you put much effort into them. I did like the music you used as well.
ReplyDeleteObservation for other video teams: this director commentary is missing references and comparison/contrast
ReplyDeleteI had never considered what you could learn about Western society’s ego by looking at tree of life graphics, what an eye-opener. This video explained the three concepts of ladder, tree, and shrub very clearly. The “shrub” version seems the best image to use, especially considering changes in our culture such as the rise of animal rights. It puts all life on a much more equal plane, recognizing the value of every species regardless of how “primitive” it may seem to our inflated egos.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the video and how you carried out the three metaphors. I feel like if there was someone outside of the class that viewed the video, they wouldn't have a feel for the topic. I wish there would have been more interaction with the shrub metaphor, since it should have been the main point of the video. I really enjoyed it and it helped to get a visual of the metaphors that were mentioned in class.
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ReplyDeleteI thought this video was good. The audio was very clear. The video was a little short; however, they did do a good job following the book and providing excellent facts to help prove their point. Their message was very clear and easy to understand.
ReplyDeleteI think you guys did a great job on this video. The explanation of each of the three metaphors were explained clearly and easily understood. I also enjoyed the props that you used in your video, as well as the ideas you had to illustrate your points. Additionally I liked how you paired particular music with each metaphor. It further helped to illustrate you point.
ReplyDeleteYour explanations of each of the three metaphors, along with your comparison of them, was very well done. My only qualm was when you were explaining each of the metaphors, you mentioned specific animals and the pictures did not match up to those animals. If you had used pictures specific to what you were saying, the impact would have been greater. Other than that, I think you did a great job.
ReplyDeleteYou guys had an absolutely hilarious video with some great information! I really enjoyed your descriptions of the three metaphors and the humor you brought to it. I have a question, however, do you believe man is special and set apart form nature, because if he is, doesn't he actually DESERVE that "arrogant" place on top of the ladder?
ReplyDeleteI feel like the video adequately explained the different ways of categorizing biodiversity, but I feel like there should have been more comparison and contrast between the groups. The juniper branch example best explains how life is organized and how they al interact. It is a 3D model that helps to explain the intricate complexities of all organisms, however it would be impossible (with this model) to show all interactions between every organism, because there would be an excess amount, and that juniper branch would be more like a solid brick of wood. I would have also liked to see more original filming that what was shown.
ReplyDeleteI liked the video at first it seemed like the photos used were not contributing to the discussion until the ladder was shown. Each organizational system was explained well and in appropriate depth. I would have liked to see the pros and cons of each organization of biodiversity or at least which system was the one your group thought was best to use and why.
ReplyDeleteNice synopsis of the organizational metaphors. Your video did a good job of explaining the implications of the different metaphors used to organize biodiversity. You also made it clear why the sprawling bush is the best metaphor to use. I thought the visuals were entertaining but I feel that they could have been made a little more effective. Overall, you did a good job of clearly and effectively conveying the information.
ReplyDeleteI like how video group 2 didn’t try to inflate the importance of humans when describing evolution. They seemed to agree that humans are not the pinnacle of evolution, but just another branch as a part of it. I also like their use of the juniper tree/shrub to show how all evolutionary paths are considered equal, and stem from a single original organism.
ReplyDeleteMeasuring biodiversity and deciding what species is better than another is definitely something that most people unconsciously do every day. The ladder, tree, and juniper bush metaphors were all described very well, showing that the juniper bush is the most equitable way to organize species. The visuals for these concepts were very informative and the blow-up doll was a nice touch, too. The video was a little short, but I suppose there wasn’t much more to cover besides the three metaphors. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThis video was very informative. They were very detailed in the explanation of the different analogies explaining evolution. The pictures added a nice effect and kept the viewer interested while listening to the commentary. The visual representations of the analogies seemed to be lacking. The ladder started out well but then became confusing when the viewer tried to figure out why the animals were being kicked off the ladder rather than listening to the commentary. The visuals of the shrub and the tree were also confusing because the organization being described was not obvious in the representation.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this video very much. Your group covered the topic concisely, throughly, and made an interesting video. The ecplnation regarding the ladder, tree, and bush were great. The last two speakers needed to increase their volume, but other then that they were great!
ReplyDeleteI feel that video group #2 made many good points. We feel that since we have more capabilities we belong at the top. I really liked the ladder example of the human knocking off every other species to get to the top. Not only to people naturally put themselves on top of the list, but we are taught that. In pictures the humans are always on the highest farthest reaching branch. This video shows that this is not the case. All of the organisms are from the same genetics and should be in a more intertwined bush like tree. I feel that this group showed why genetics would be more like a bush than a ladder or tree. I enjoyed this Video.
ReplyDeleteThe video and directors commentary do a good job of laying out each of the metaphors used to explain evolution. I like how simple and easy it was to follow and lets the viewer draw their own conclusions.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the idea of the shrub analogy to the ecosystems of the world. It reminded me of what I learned in ecology about how these webs are interconnected in a complex manner as discussed in that class. So a whale could be connected and no "greater" than a sea turtle.
ReplyDeleteI feel the movie was very informative and I like how it gave variety going from pictures to graphs to home made videos and so on. I thought it was very well thought out and the script was thorough, although one of the group members
ReplyDeletewas not as loud as I would have hoped. I liked how the group gave the different explanations of the different metaphors and thought it was clever in how you set the dolls out on the literal ladder, tree, and bush. The visual explanation was great!
The video was very clear and informative. The video sections were clever and entertaining, yet weren’t distracting. It stayed on topic very well. The blow-up doll was a little disturbing, yet still entertaining. I liked how the background music was soft and didn’t interfere with the narrator. Good job.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the way the different evolutionary models and metaphors were depicted in the video- it was very creative! The commentary complimented the stills and the video very well and I thought there was just the right amount of information and the content stayed on topic well. The only criticism I have is that a couple of the recorded narrators were hard to understand because they were speaking so quickly and softly.
ReplyDeleteYou did a good job explaining the difference between the three models of evolution, the ladder, the tree, and the bush. It was explained in a way that made it easy to follow and the end poduct looked professional.
ReplyDeleteThe visual references of the three metaphors was good. I feel like it could definately be used for different levels of education. I don't really agree with the shrub metaphor since it is similar to a tree. Good video overall, not perfect but I don't think anyone's in this class is.
ReplyDeleteThe video gave clear explanations about the three different analogies. I think that your alls video would help future classes grasp the difference between the different biodiversity organization. Having visual aid is necessary for people who are not auditory learners. A suggestion would be to have the last two readers speak louder. I was not able to clearly hear the second speaker.
ReplyDeleteThis video served as an accurate portrayal of the three theories of the Tree-of-Life. Particularly amusing was the usage of a blow up doll, along with stuffed animals, in a tree and a bush to show the differences between those two opposing theories. The still pictures used are certainly nice; however they do not always pertaining to the message that is being read at the time they are on the screen. The ones that do pertain were very helpful in getting the message across.
ReplyDeleteThe video was very simple. The narration and the diversity of pictures that were a part of the movie gave it good flow and directed the viewer’s attention to what was being said. Good to see diversity of species on a project about biodiversity. The content was presented at an average level. The interaction with the group member in the scene about the ladder diagram was funny and fit well with the group’s topic; more of this interaction could have been implemented. To some extent it was as though the content streamed directly from the book material, new and exciting information could have helped.
ReplyDeleteThis commentary very clearly represents the 3 methods for explaining evolution. The common misconception about humans being portrayed as the top of the evolutionary process is mentioned very well. While this is humbling to some, it is a very vaild point. This video seemed to very well portray the misconceptions of modern thought when concerning evolution.
ReplyDeleteThe information is clearly stated and made slightly more interesting with the sequence of pictures. The information isn't really presented in an exciting way but does a good job of informing the viewer. The presentation could be more creative, but the metaphors are made easy to understand and humans' place in each is made clear.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures... they really corresponded to what you were talking about at the time. I really enjoyed the latter interpretation. It added comedy to the definition. Your example of the tree of life was a great illustration as well.
ReplyDeleteThe blow-up doll was priceless. Very good explanation of the methods of organization, if shown in class they will definitely not be forgotten! All information from the book was very well-represented, and provided a humorous satire of humans as the visual pinnacle of the biosphere. The biological organization that was done during the past three centuries in the West was also done in religiously conservative societies where Judeo-Christian ideals were ingrained even in the minds of Scientists. Even if they were not 6-day Creationists, they probably subconsciously saw man as having being made in G-d’s image, being the proverbial caretaker of “the garden,” and crown of all creation. The analytical look at all organisms shows us that even though we have the most effect on the planet, our species is just a blip in the diversity of our planet.
ReplyDeleteThe visuals were simple for understanding, and at the same time funny with the blow-up doll. Well put together and very well explained.
ReplyDeleteVideo does a good job of explaining the fallacies of the ladder metaphor; mainly the fact that further evolved organisms have the same value as more “primitive” species. The models created in the film for the ladder and tree of life metaphors are entertaining and informative although somewhat confusing. All of the messages were articulated well and the ideas flowed in a logical manner in the video
ReplyDeleteThe video was very simple. The narration and the diversity of pictures that were a part of the movie gave it good flow and directed the viewer’s attention to what was being said. Good to see diversity of species on a project about biodiversity. The content was presented at an average level. The interaction with the group member in the scene about the ladder diagram was funny and fit well with the group’s topic; more of this interaction could have been implemented. To some extent it was as though the content streamed directly from the book material, new and exciting information could have helped
ReplyDeleteThe video expressed the inequalities surrounding hazardous waste facilities, the group showed depressing images of children standing amidst piles of trash. They also had pictures of the waste facilities themselves. They were to emphasize the enormous effect that these facilities project on neighboring communities and environment. The video gave new insight on the topic of “Not in My Back Yard” such as the wind turbines in Nantucket. The video lacked in excitement but made up in its factual presentation of information.
ReplyDeleteA great job guys. the video was very well done and looked very perfessional, for the most part. The descriptions of each metaphor where clear and consise. the little clips for each metaphor where also humorous if not incredibly helpful in explaining the metaphor. Overall it was a good video
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