Mutations, bad not good (Introduction)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Saturday, July 16, 2011, 21:25 (4879 days ago) @ dhw

I feel we are moving ever closer now. It might be useful if you were to compile a simple list of these "assumptions", but I'll put in my own pennyworth first. Areas of the current theory which I find to be suspect include: 1) innovations; 2) time scales; 3) gradualism (punctuated equilibrium seems far more convincing to me); 4) the obsession with Natural Selection as a creative force, which it clearly is not. More common ground here?-
Innovations is a major sticking point for me, particularly as we unravel greater complexity in biology. -The time scales also, particularly in light of mounting evidence against them. -I see gradualism as a grand fallacy, simply because there are far too many interdependent systems for a single major system to be half-cocked much less more than one. Punctuated equilibrium is far more likely, yet, I must question how fast these changes are actually able to happen, and if it is so quickly, why have we not witnessed more of them, particularly after the drastic changes man has made to the environment.-We certainly agree on NS. -I know this has been a topic of much conversation for me of late, but I want a clear, irrefutable definition of so-called speciation, because evolutionist seem to be contradicting themselves.-"Neanderthals were a separate species from modern humans, and became extinct (due to climate change or interaction with humans) and were replaced by H. sapiens moving into its habitat beginning around 80,000 years ago.[57] Competition from H. sapiens probably contributed to Neanderthal extinction.[58] Jared Diamond has suggested a scenario of violent conflict and displacement."
-
The genetic information turned up some intriguing findings, indicating, for instance, that at some point after early modern humans migrated out of Africa, they mingled and mated with Neanderthals, possibly in the Middle East or North Africa as much as 80,000 years ago.-Read more: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1987568,00.html#ixzz1SIm0OmrA-
According to the earlier discussion, speciation is defined by the two species not being able to breed. Yet this article provides incontrovertible proof that Neanderthals, supposedly a different species, did breed with modern humans. So are they a different species, or not?