I have. And that’s why I came to ask the question about the specific assumptions used, esp. for cultural/interbreeding/group evolution dynamics differences that may have been used, vs. just mutation rates. Seems to me, if you just use and vary mutation rates, and ignore cultural/group dynamics (which may mostly be present in only humans and to some extent, apes), an assumption that mutation rate is constant for 10k yrs. and/or doesn’t change much over 100,000 years might just be wrong. Likewise, assuming we have solid coverage with our ancient DNA samples might also be wrong, esp. if we are missing samples from groups like Group A.
I simply asked if anyone has seriously explored these types of factors and scenarios and/or has done outer bounds modeling with these factors in mind and I feel like I got a “from authority” type response that the “data says otherwise” but then at the same time also hear “yes, with the Group A scenario, DNA might not find them.” (paraphrasing) So that raises even bigger questions for me.
I was referring to the discussion with @Agauger on this board – but, with Behe it’s been in other venues. With @Agauger, I don’t see that my line of questioning was much different or less valid than the line of questioning presented to her. However, with my line, I felt a little deferred and put off and/or felt like I am being told “we’ve already addressed that here and here” or “you’ll just have to wait.” (again, paraphrasing). I feel like her responses were similar, yet she was pressed hard in those cases for direct responses.
So I’m just pressing too, but was still not getting what I consider to be direct answers to my specific questions, without having to ask them multiple times in multiple ways.
Anyway, if I’m barking up the wrong tree, I’m totally willing to back off (for now), I’ll go do some research into these studies and reach out to Venema and others to see what they say.
@John_Harshman, your thoughts?
I had just hoped I’d be saved the trouble by others on this board who already thought these things through, esp. since I’m not anywhere near an expert and haven’t thought things through as much.
Don’t get me wrong, I love you, this board and everyone on it. But I also don’t think leaving questions like this insufficiently addressed (IMO) helps your case with GAE.
Again, it’s just one guy’s opinion and as always, I reserve the right to be completely wrong. =)