"The sum of evolutionary evidence is thoroughly damning. In nearly every modification of the evolutionary process made in the duckbills as they developed from their dryosaur ancestors, the duckbills suffered a diminution of their swimming potential. Their fore- and hind paws became shorter and more compact, not longer and more widely spread. Their tails got weaker and stiffer. Far from being the best, the duckbills must have been the clumsiest and slowest swimmers in all the Dinosauria. If pressed, they probably could paddle slowly from one riverbanck to another. The central theme of their bodily evolution was indeed specialized - orthodox theory was right on that point - but the direction of specialization was landward. These dinosaurs were specialized for a totally terrestrial existence."
React to this quote
More by Robert T. Bakker
See allResonant Thoughts
"Humanity needs practical men, who get the most out of their work, and, without forgetting the general good, safeguard their own interests. But humanity also needs dreamers, for whom the disinterested …"
Explore Further
Related Quotes
"Matthew Bellamy: "Ambition - whenever I hear the word, in my head, all I can think of is Madonna, for some …"
— Madonna (entertainer)"Well as a performer who finds privilege in being able to tell stories of the roles I’m blessed with, I feel…"
— Nombulelo Mhlongo"It’s very simple. It speaks to people, because it’s about God’s love for each of us—I have loved you with a…"
— Deidre Brown"It gives liberty and breadth to thought, to learn to judge our own epoch from the point of view of universa…"
— Henri-Frédéric Amiel"The thing was not discussable, even with a near acquaintance like Calvin because … because of the nature of…"
— Brian Aldiss"...my people are facing difficulties. They are being killed in the streets. They are on the sidewalks for a…"
— Tawakkol Karman
Related Thinkers
Related Topics
Deep Dives
- Robert T. Bakker on philosophy
- Robert T. Bakker on life
- Robert T. Bakker on time
- Robert T. Bakker on knowledge
- Robert T. Bakker on society
- Robert T. Bakker on success
- Robert T. Bakker on art
- Robert T. Bakker on change
- Robert T. Bakker on courage
- Robert T. Bakker on history
- knowledge & Beauty
- knowledge & Change
