Unintelligent design

I'm sure that, like me, you've spent a good portion of your life wondering what Ben Stein, the actor who played the tranquilliser-voiced teacher in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' ("Something-d-o-o economics"), did next.

Well, the short answer is I don't really know.

But what I can tell you is that most recently he's written a documentary film called 'Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed', which is about the alleged expulsions of American academics from universities for their belief that creationism should be taught alongside evolution. Not only does it take aim squarely at Richard Dawkins, it also seeks to lay the blame for the Holocaust at Darwin's door. Yes, really.

Not surprisingly, the film has been met not so much with the uncomprehending silence of the Bueller's classmates, but with sharply critical reviews and claims that interviewees and situations have been grossly misrepresented. Needless to say, as one interviewee Michael Shermer has pointed out, this dishonesty is "especially serious in a film attacking scientific honesty".

So, anyone buying the concept and unable to contain themselves at the prospect of seeing the film? Anyone? Anyone?