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I say that evolution happened because the evidence for it is so strong. I can't see a better explanation for the sorting of the fossil record. I say that natural selection has been observed because it has been. Scientists can test these things in a lab with yeasts and bacteria and other little critters that reproduce very quickly, and whose environments can easily be controlled artificially. But you don't even need a lab to see it in action. How else do you think antibiotic resistance has developed?
Observation of natural selection can be difficult.

Problem 1: Lab experiments are not natural. You say yourself they control the environment artificially. By definition, they are artificial selection. There is also a lack of recourse to any feedback & interaction with other lifeforms which could be present in a natural environment.
Problem 2: In nature, natural selection is only observed in the past tense. It's used to create a story of how such-and-such may have taken place. But science requires predictive power. Anyone can use natural selection to explain any past result. Try me if you doubt this. It isn't hard - try it yourself.
Problem 3: To scientifically observe natural selection in nature, one must evaluate fitness and make predictions. Who can confidently make these evaluations?
Problem 4: Without natural environmental stress, there is no struggle. The "unfit" thrive right along with the "fit".
Problem 5: "Sexual selection" can work at cross purposes with natural selection.

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I'm also concerned that this discussion (already somewhat off-topic) is going to become directionless.

That's never stopped anyone here before. Besides, look at the title of this thread. What is "on topic" for that, since it's a joke in itself to begin with?
On topic or not, I don't think disorganization and confusion are a prudent path to progress. I don't intend to spend millions of years slinging around random words and hoping for good results.

If you agree that observations of self-regulation run counter to Darwinian natural selection, we could examine the Neo-Lamarkian paradigm to see if it can operate without struggle. Previously Lamarck's ideas were applied to the other side of the issue - they provided variety, and then during times of competition, natural selection chose from what was provided.

Dark Matter + Dark Energy = Dark Truth

"We find that such evidence demonstrates that the ID argument is dependent upon setting a scientifically unreasonable burden of proof for the theory of evolution." - Judge Jones Kitzmiller case
http://www.talkreason.org/articles/Falsify.cfm

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"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath?" - Thomas Jefferson