Today, I’m venturing into a new series inspired by a rather frustrating interaction I had on Facebook. It revolves around critiquing memes—specifically, creationist memes that misrepresent scientific facts. The power of memes in communicating complex ideas simply and effectively is undeniable, but what happens when they spread misinformation?
The video linked below is the original video in which I explore the misinformation in a meme but I will summarize the main points in this blog post.
The meme that provoked this response claims that a gecko preserved in amber, said to be 54 million years old, is identical to modern green geckos. This assertion is used to challenge evolutionary science, suggesting that since the gecko hasn’t changed, evolution must be a myth. The meme even goes as far to label evolution as “dishonest government propaganda.”
The first problem with this meme is that it fails to acknowledge that the preserved gecko has been given a completely different scientific classification from any modern gecko. The scientists that examined this amber-encased gecko determined that it belongs to a new genus and species, indicating significant evolutionary differences not visible to the untrained eye.
Moreover, the meme creator’s lack of basic scientific literacy is evident from their incorrect formatting of the scientific name, which should be italicized with the genus capitalized. Worse yet, they don’t spell the name correctly. This error raises doubts about their meme creators expertise and intent.
What troubles me most about such memes is their potential to mislead. People in positions of leadership, particularly within religious communities, might share these memes without fully understanding or verifying the information. This can perpetuate ignorance and misinformation, which is not only a disservice to their followers but also undermines the credibility of their Christian witness.
Leaders have a responsibility to be well-informed and discerning about the information they share. Spreading misinformation, intentionally or not, can damage the trust placed in them by their communities. It’s crucial for anyone in a position of influence to fact-check and understand content before sharing it, ensuring that their messages are based on truth and not deception.
Contrary to what the meme suggests, evolution is not about dramatic changes visible to the naked eye but often about subtle, gradual genetic and morphological transformations over millions of years. The fact that the amber-preserved gecko and its modern counterpart look similar does not disprove evolution. It merely highlights that some species experience slower rates of change, particularly if they are well-adapted to stable environmental conditions. However, there are real differences between the amber-encased gecko that an examination of the original research paper reveals and I show in the video linked above.
The misuse of scientific names in the meme also points to a broader issue of credibility. Proper scientific communication is crucial in conveying research and findings accurately. Misrepresenting or simplifying complex scientific ideas for the sake of an argument undermines the integrity of the information presented.
As someone who values science and education, I find it essential to address and correct such misconceptions. Educators, scientists, and leaders must work together to enhance public understanding of science, challenging misinformation and explaining the complexities of how species are classified and how they evolve.
Naturalis Historia 
Worth pointing out that even if the preserved gecko was identical to the present day species (as you say, it isn’t), that would tell us nothing about evolution of other species, least of all imply that they, too, had been standing still. I would also add that we have learnt an enormous amount about evolution, particularly of insects, by the study of specimens preserved in amber.
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