Grand Canyon Staff Response to Creationists

You may have heard the rumor that the National Park Service staff at the Grand Canyon is instructed to refrain from telling visitors how old the Grand Canyon is. The reason stated was that they did not want to offend creationists who believe in a 6,000 year old Earth. A 6,000 year old Earth is in contradiction to the current understanding of mainstream science. As it turns out, it is NOT true that the staff is instructed to say this.

Read how Skeptic Magazine was duped by the Grand Canyon story. Michael Shermer, editor of Skeptic Magazine offers a detailed blow by blow account of how the story got printed and it’s quick fallout. In a nutshell he got duped by the PEER organization and is pretty steamed about it. (Article link is at the beginning of this paragraph.)

A statement from the now deprecated article read:

Washington, DC — Grand Canyon National Park is not permitted to give an official estimate of the geologic age of its principal feature, due to pressure from Bush administration appointees.

Peer review is the backbone of the scientific process. And it was Skeptic Magazine’s own readers who called it’s staff on the misinformation about the Park Service stance on this issue.

Here is a detailed response from Dave Barna on current protocol for National Park Service staff working at the Grand Canyon. He also provides an explanation as to why this rumor might have started. . Thank you Mr. Burna for addressing this issue with a detailed response.

RESPONSE FROM CHIEF OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Recently there have been several media and internet reports concerning the National Park Service’s interpretation of the formation of the Grand Canyon.

The National Park Service uses the latest National Academy of Sciences explanation for the geologic formation of the Grand Canyon. Our guidance to the field is contained in NPS Director’s Order # 6 and requires that the interpretive and educational treatment used to explain the natural processes and history of the Earth must be based on the best scientific evidence available, as found in scholarly sources that have stood the test of scientific peer review and criticism.

Therefore, our interpretive talks, way-side exhibits, visitor center films, etc use the following explanation for the age of the geologic features at Grand Canyon. If asked the age of the Grand Canyon, our rangers use the following answer.

The principal consensus among geologists is that the Colorado River basin has developed in the past 40 million years and that the Grand Canyon itself is probably less than five to six million years old. The result of all this erosion is one of the most complete geologic columns on the planet.

The major geologic exposures in Grand Canyon range in age from the 1.7 billion year old Vishnu Schist at the bottom of the Inner Gorge to the 270 million year old Kaibab Limestone on the Rim.

So, why are there news reports that differ from this explanation? Since 2003 the park bookstore has been selling a book that gives a creationism view of the formation of the Grand Canyon, claiming that the canyon is less than six thousand years old. This book is sold in the inspirational section of the bookstore. In this section there are
photographic texts, poetry books, and Native American books (that also give an alternate view of the canyon’s origin).

The park’s bookstore contains scores of text that give the NPS geologic view of the formation of the canyon.

We do not use the “creationism” text in our teaching nor do we endorse its content. However, it is not our place to censure alternate beliefs. Much like your local public library, you will find many alternate beliefs, but not all of these beliefs are used in the school classroom.

It is not our place to tell people what to believe. We recognize that alternate views exist, but we teach the scientific method for the formation of the Grand Canyon.

I hope this explanation helps.

David Barna
Chief of Public Affairs
National Park Service
Washington, DC

Registered Professional Geologist (AIPG #6528)
Licensed Geologist (North Carolina # 129)

Visualization Rehearsal Tip

During an initial rehearsal with the vocal chorus of a musical, something seemed out of place to me. The cast was very talented, there was just a lack of focus. How do you get all that talent to bring it as far as they can? I spent the better part of a week mulling this over. I came to the conclusion that the lack of focus had nothing to do with a lack of intent. It had more to do with a lack of knowledge on how to rehearse most effectively. Or more accurately, a lack of quality rehearsal habits.
Thoughts and actions repeated become habits. Through repetition you can create the habits you want for your cast that will make the difference in between an ok show and an exciting adventure.

Breaking in a cast can seem a little like breaking in a horse. So know in advance what your expectations are and keep driving that home until it happens without thinking. Here’s a two step process I used tonight for breaking in a new cast and I feel it was effective.

FOCUS AND CONCENTRATION

I think a non-equity (read non-professional) cast needs a delineation for when concentration begins. I began by showing them a hand clap signal. I clap a “ta-ta-teetee-ta” rhythm and they respond in like. Over the evening we repeated this with an expectation of total silence at the end. Perhaps a little grade-schoolish, but a good tool bringing a large cast back to focus. If there wasn’t silence then I would repeat the sequence. The whole idea being to make the instant focus switch a habit.
Most pros have an imaginary veil they step through that delineates a time for focus. At some point they were probably taught how to do that. If there’s something you do well, there’s probably a little pause you take before beginning the task. That’s your mental preparation.

VISUALIZATION

I had the cast split up into four sections. We did “Row Row Row Your Boat” as a round with each part singing once through and starting every other line. There were some snickers because that was a bit silly. Then I asked them to do it again but not to sing. They were instructed to hear the parts in their head. There were a lot of confused looks and hands went flying up, and I just cued the first group who started singing. A few started singing, not quite understanding the game yet. I stopped and told them again that we were doing the song but no one should sing, they should just hear it in their head. I started the first group, then the other three.

Here’s the great part. In many of the cast’s eyes I could see a lightbulb shining. An “AHA” moment. Many of them could indeed hear the singing in their minds. I wonder if for some of them this was the first exposure they had to visualization as a rehearsal tool.

Then they were instructed that while one part was practicing, they should be running their own parts in their minds. That’s the purpose of this exercise. For cast members to get in the habit of rehearsing parts in their head while other groups are singing.

Keep demonstrating different takes on visualization until it becomes a habit for the cast. As a musician, I can see most of the music I play in my head. If I can’t see it, that means I don’t really have a grasp on it. Many times I’ll practice in my head to find out the rough parts I need to work on. If I can’t see it, then that’s what I have to work on.

May seem like work, but this is one rehearsal tip for lazy people. By incorporating visualization into your practice time you can get as much done in 1/3 the time.

If you have other visualization tips for actors and singers please drop a comment here and let me know about them.

Music for Robert Burns Supper – Toast to Lassies and Laddies

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You may copy, distribute and perform these two pieces freely, I just ask that you link to this page so people come here for the source material.

More info on Scottish Poet Robert Burns and the annual Burns Supper.

Choir music for A Toast to the Lassies (Male Choir -Tenor/Bass) and a Toast to the Laddies (Female Choir – Soprano/Alto) created for the 16th Annual Robert Burns Scottish Evening presented by the Celtic Arts Foundation of Skagit County, Washington on January 20, 2007.

Both songs were received very well on their debut. The Toast to the Lassies is straight ahead Burns poetry, and our new response The Toast to the Laddies filled the room with laughter.

Toast to the Lassies Burns Dinner Choir Music MP3 – Audio
Toast to the Laddies Burns Dinner Choir Music – Audio

Vocalists on the recording include Ruth Haines, Kelly Pollino, Rebecca Wright, Natalie Howell, Judy Sjernen, John Haines and Evan Erickson.

TOAST TO THE LASSIES – Listen MP3
Lyrics by Robert Burns
The Henpecked Husband – 1788

Curs’d be the man, the poorest wretch in life,
The crouching vassal to a tyrant wife!
Who has no will but by her high permission,
Who has not sixpence but in her possession;
Who must to she, his dear friend’s secrets tell,
Who dreads a curtain lecture worse than hell.
Were such the wife had fallen to my part,
I’d break her spirit or I’d break her heart;
I’d charm her with the magic of a switch,
I’d kiss her maids, and kick the perverse bitch.

Note – Last word omitted on recording. Men’s chorus can motion with hands in a “ta-da” fashion on the beat of that nasty “b” word. Also over enunciate the word “switch” and everyone will know what word should have been there. A good way to present authentic Robert Burns coarse material in mixed company. The word has a different feel to it now than it did in Burns’ time, and I think it offends modern sensibilities. Your choice on how to perform.

TOAST TO THE LADDIES – Listen MP3
Lyrics by Conrad Askland – 2007
(An updated response to and similiar metre for Robert Burns “The Henpecked Husband”.)

A toast to the Laddies for the very best in life,
And a few concerns from your lovely wives.
It seems to us you’ve misplaced your thinking cap,
Why when you’re lost won’t you just ask for a map?
When you hear us talking do not act like we’re dull,
And could you just one time give up the remote control?
You should know when we ask you about our behinds,
We expect a sweet reply that’s gentle and kind.
Remember that we know the form that God hath wilt,
So stop exaggeratin’ bout what’s beneath yer kilt!