Three scientists \u2014 Papaia, Banani, and Ravioli \u2014 and their assistant Igor, who work at NASAL, begin to take an interest in creationism. Alarmed, their superiors send them to see a psychologist: Professor Faggioli \u2014 a shady character determined to get them fired by making them seem insane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re in Professor Faggioli\u2019s office, and it\u2019s Banani\u2019s turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, in the waiting room, Papaia and Ravioli are talking about a book Banani found, about geological evidence for Noah\u2019s Flood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RAVIOLI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So? What else does that book say?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PAPAIA <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(looking at the pages carefully) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here it talks about erosion\u2026 or rather, the lack of erosion. It\u2019s fascinating, Ravioli. It says that in certain geological layers, the boundaries are sharp \u2014 almost like they were cut with a knife. No sign of the time that should\u2019ve passed between one layer and the next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RAVIOLI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(making a face) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wait\u2026 but aren\u2019t there supposed to be millions of years between each layer? With rain, wind, valleys\u2026 all that stuff?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PAPAIA <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exactly. If time had really passed like that, we\u2019d expect signs of erosion: irregular surfaces, channels, varied deposits. Instead\u2026 some layers are flat, smooth. As if they were laid down one after the other in quick succession, no gaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RAVIOLI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(skeptical tone) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like\u2026 assembly line geology?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PAPAIA <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(pauses, then smiles) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes \u2014 a very fast line. Look: it mentions the Grand Canyon. Says that between the Coconino Sandstone and the Hermit Formation, there\u2019s no significant erosion. Yet, according to traditional geology, millions of \u201cmissing\u201d years should be there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RAVIOLI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(thoughtful) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Millions\u2026 vanished?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PAPAIA <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or\u2026 maybe they were never there. Same with the Redwall Limestone. Perfectly flat boundary above the lower layers. As if it all happened in one big deposition event. Fast, continuous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RAVIOLI <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(seriously, looking at Papaia) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like\u2026 a Flood?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PAPAIA <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(nods, closing the book) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s what Banani suspects. And maybe\u2026 he\u2019s not wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IGOR <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Between the rock layers there\u2019s a sharp break. Just like\u2026 the layers of Ravioli\u2019s lasagna: clean, compact, and not a single trace of vegetables in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\ude05\ud83d\ude05\ud83d\ude05<\/p>\n\n\n\n