Godzilla Taxa

I use the various versions or revisions of Godzilla to show the difference between evolved taxa and created kinds. Evolution can account for every life-form ever discovered. There has never been even one organism which contests that theory. This would only be possible if life has evolved. That would not be the case if life was 'created', because every creature we've ever imagined for any myth or movie has always violated taxonomy. So if life had been magically created, then we would see at least a few things that didn't align with evident phylogeny -the way evolution requires that everything must.

[soupalex]

"Modern turtles don't have teeth, or rocket engines, either."

[Vrelk]

The way you mix taxonomy and movie history is absolutely fascinating to watch.

[CassandraCarter]

I think part of the problem with why people have no interest in taxonomy is because of how at least some schools teach it in Biology.  Watching your videos, I've come to really think it's awesome stuff to study, but in school, my experience of taxonomy was "Here's some stuff you have to memorize for the test."

It was not placed into a biological context; it was made out like this was just some system imposed to give everything a Latin name.  To my teacher's defense, I think a part of it had to do with the pressures to avoid going too hard on evolutionary topics, since I grew up in a southern state.  But once it's all placed into an evolutionary context, it becomes much more interesting.

[nickstne]

Mention of Cloverfield: check!
Mention of Chtulhu: check!
I'm satisfied.

[ysgramornorris]

6:43
Modern turtles don't have engines?
This implies ancient turtles did...

[TechnocraticBushman]

Aron, you broke my heart. I think you might just be the coolest dad on the internet. Now I literally want to become a millionaire so that I can provide you with some taxonomically correct entertainment.

[spliter]

The 2016 godzilla is actually my favourite origin story because it's not explained (at least as far as I remember). These monsters being some kind of primordial force, that go beyond what's naturally possible or comprehensible by humans (so basically a lovecraftian "god") is to me the most plausible explanation for godzilla.
All the natural evolution/mutation paths would have to explain how it got so huge, how it doesn't collapse under its own weight and boil itself from the inside, how it's able to swim through lava, and shoot plasma out of its mouth, but it being a cosmic being that's made out of materials we can't even comprehend, that has biomechanical plasma generators: is a more plausible explanation, since it could have been designed by beings who mastered science to a point where they can bend reality to their will (now, why would they put godzilla here on earth beats me, probably some kind of dogfighting thing).

[DoctorZisIN]

One of your most entertaining videos ever. What a great idea! It should be made into a full documentary! I love the idea that the original G was a sea iguana hit by radiation or something else and transformed, but the scientist got it's origin wrong. The remake could have them acknowledge this, and use what we know about the species to fight the monster. Then you should get at least a cameo for coming up with the idea.

[aotua]

Love it. But Aron you got Legendary's backstory for Godzilla wrong. He's not a literal god, he is as close to a god as they have ever witnessed, they say that at least once in the movie. They also say that he, and the Mutos, come from a time were there was more natural radiation, like a very, very young earth is assumed to have had.

[jiberish]

I don't even like Godzilla, and yet you still kept me interested.
I'm convinced that I could listen to Aron talk about pretty much anything at this point. :)

[PeterHowe]

Some people thought that the 1998 version of Godzilla should have just been called Zilla. I think it should have been called Goddammit.

[Alyenbird]

I really liked that the M.U.T.O. was not like anything else on Earth. It takes a lot of creativity to make such a monster. They also fixed a lot of the mistakes they made in the Zilla movie. I am also looking forward to the next Godzilla, especially if it has Mothra. 

[cletusmcfetus]

I have to disagree, Aron. I think the worst part of the newest Godzilla movie was the lack of fight scenes between the kaiju.

[MechaManZX]

"Animals don't usually have power tools installed like... whatever this is."
Amazingly Gigan is the most excusable monster.  It's both alien (though surprisingly a bilateral plantigrade tetrapod) and cybernetically enhanced.  So that saw blade through the sternum and the big metal hook arms (or chainsaw arms in Godzilla: Final War) weren't evolved, but were engineered and attached later.

Gamera is just inexcusable... though he is friend of children.

[ValenWarden]

Actually, Aron, you got some of your information wrong. Godzilla is NOT a god in the new movie, in fact they even say his origins. Here: Possibly the last of an ancient species of giant amphibious creatures that evolved at a time when the surface of the earth was over 10 times more radioactive than it is today.
They do in fact point out that he did evolve. I believe it's said the MUTOs are from the same time and are natural enemies.

[ullrichfischer]

The Godzilla-shriek ringtone is the best idea ever!   :)

[ErgoCogita]

Yes! More phylogeny from Aron! I absolutely love the fact that your dream of creating a phylogeny explorer is coming to fruition.

[steveb]

So, Gojirawas was a Therapsid? Genius! I love it!

[Omni]

Good vid, I just hope some creationist doesn't start thinking that you don't realise it's fiction. I think the irony would be too much.

[Slayer]

Holy crap, the guy holding the iguana in that pic at 7:43 was one of my biology profs.