Trevor Palmer BA, PhD, CBiol, FIBiol, FIBMS, ILTM, is author of the book, Perilous Planet Earth Catastrophes and Catastrophism through the Ages (2003) and articles and talks on evolution and catastrophism, and has served as Chairman of the Society for Interdisciplinary Studies.
He is also an ex pro-vice chancellor, and Professor Emeritus,[1]Wednesday 16 July 2008, Open Dome Event – June, Nottingham Trent University from Nottingham Trent University, a chartered biologist, a member of the Institute for Learning and Teaching (now incorporated into the Higher Education Academy), a Fellow of the Institute of Biology, a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science and a Fellow of the HESDA Top Management Programme. Previously, he has been a member of the executive of the Heads of University Biological Sciences (HUBS), and a member of the executive of the UK Deans of Science group.[2]Biography, Incubation Conference (2004) at NTU
Catastrophism, Neocatastrophism and Evolution (1994)
His book, Catastrophism, Neocatastrophism and Evolution (1994),
“.. tells how prevailing views of patterns and processes in the evolution of life on Earth have changed in a significant fashion over the past few years. In 1959, the centenary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection, the Modern Synthesis of neo-Darwinism, which incorporated developments in genetics into traditional Darwinism, seemed completely secure. Together with the contemporary geological paradigm, the Modern Synthesis was widely seen as representing the triumph of a gradualistic-uniformitarian view of Earth history over the catastrophist alternative. Evolutionary change was slow (an essential feature of gradualism), imperceptible (except over long periods of time) and progressive (though not because of linear development, but as a result of competition between variant forms). Later, however, it became increasingly clear that the course of evolution had been much less even paced and much more erratic than previously realised, the fossil record revealing episodic rapid bursts and abrupt transitions, which could no longer (as formerly) be dismissed as artifacts. Moreover, from 1980 onwards, neocatastrophism made remarkable advances so that, today, impacts of asteroids and comets have to be regarded as perfectly plausible agents of evolutionary change, and evidence for such an extraterrestrial involvement at any particular time considered on its merits.”[3]Catastrophism, Neocatastrophism and Evolution , Society for Interdisciplinary Studies in association with the Nottingham Trent University (1994), ISBN 0951430718. From the SIS
Controversy – Catastrophism and Evolution (1999)
Richard Huggett writes:
“The aim of this book is to show how recent geological discoveries have shaken the tenets of neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory. The neo-Darwinian synthesis, which combines genetics with traditional Darwinism, sees evolution as a serenely slow, little-by-little process of natural selection. To neo-Darwinians, the results of natural selection – new forms – are imperceptible over short periods and display progressive characteristics that arise not from a preordained plan of linear development but from the chance interaction of competing forms. Palmer claims that two geological discoveries have invalidated this neo-Darwinian view. Firstly, some recent studies of the fossil record suggest that evolution has been episodic, with abrupt transitions between forms rather than a slow and stately procss of change. Secondly, the role of extraterrestrial processes (particularly asteroidal and cometary impacts) has come to prominenceas a potent evolutionary driving force. Sudden catastrophic events, such as meteor showers, may cause mass extinctions followed by rapid bursts of new species. .. Palmer makes his case well, although I doubt that it will sway the ultra-Darwinians (assuming that they bother reading the book!).”[4]”Controversy: Catastrophism and Evolution, The Ongoing Debate, by Trevor Palmer” reviewed by Richard Huggett, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review 2001:1 (Apr 2001)
Perilous Planet Earth (2003)
Main article: Perilous Planet Earth Catastrophes and Catastrophism through the Ages (2003)
Selected bibliography
Books
- Catastrophism, Neocatastrophism and Evolution , Society for Interdisciplinary Studies in association with the Nottingham Trent University (1994), ISBN 0951430718. From the SIS
- Controversy – Catastrophism and Evolution: The Ongoing Debate, Springer (February 28, 1999), ISBN 0306457512, 468 pages (at Amazon.com)
- Perilous Planet Earth: Catastrophes and Catastrophism through the Ages, Cambridge University Press (July 7, 2003), ISBN 0521819288.
Articles
- “Catastrophism and Evolution”, SIS Review vol.VII part A (1985)
- “The Cautious Revolutionary”, SIS Review v1987
- “Nemesis for Evolutionary Gradualism?”, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v1988
- Towards a new Evolutionary Synthesis, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v1989
- “The Erratic Descent of Man”, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v1990
- “Uniformitarianism, Catastrophism and Evolution , SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v1996n1
- “Origins: Today’s Science, Tomorrow’s Myth by James E. Strickling”, reviewed, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v1997n2
- “Fomenko and English History”, James T. Palmer and Trevor Palmer, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v1999n2
- “Ancient Mysteries by Peter James & Nick Thorpe”, reviewed, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v1999n2
- “Catastrophes: the Diluvial Evidence”, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v2000 no.1
- “An Investigation into the Reality of the Early Medieval Dark Age”, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v2001 no.1
- “Natural Catastrophes in the Ninth Century AD”, James T Palmer and Trevor Palmer, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v2002 no.1
- “Introduction – Ages in Chaos?”, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v2003
- “Summary and Closing Address”, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v2003
- “Neo-Assyrians and Achaemenids – A Test of Beards”, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v2004 no.1
- “In Search of Alter Egos“, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v2004 no.3
- “Catastrophes and the History of Life on Earth”, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review v2005
- “Science, Technology and the Chronology of the Ancient World”, Aeon vol.6 No.6 (Oct 2005)
- “Tektites, Wildfires and the Extinction of the Dinosaurs”, SIS Workshop w1987 no.1
- “Late Pleistocene Extinctions: No Evidence for Plato’s Atlantis”, SIS Workshop w1987 no.2
References
| ↑1 | Wednesday 16 July 2008, Open Dome Event – June, Nottingham Trent University |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Biography, Incubation Conference (2004) at NTU |
| ↑3 | Catastrophism, Neocatastrophism and Evolution , Society for Interdisciplinary Studies in association with the Nottingham Trent University (1994), ISBN 0951430718. From the SIS |
| ↑4 | ”Controversy: Catastrophism and Evolution, The Ongoing Debate, by Trevor Palmer” reviewed by Richard Huggett, SIS Chronology & Catastrophism Review 2001:1 (Apr 2001) |