Re:The Climate Science Isn't Settled
by pradocchia on Tuesday December 01, 2009 @12:27PM
(#970148)
Corruption and greedy are so banal.
I liked your analogy to witch doctors better. Where do we turn to understand the universe and frame our decisions? Science. And why do we vest science with such authority? We trust it. We trust the scientific process, we trust the Space Shuttle and our little iPods, which seem the very embodiment of science's revealed truths.
Re:The Climate Science Isn't Settled
by kingkongreveng_ on Tuesday December 01, 2009 @12:59PM
(#970227)
Enough with the scientific exceptionalism. There is only rigorous reasoning and solid evidence, and flawed reasoning. It's the same in any human endeavor, whether we're talking phds or plumbers.
Any time people start throwing around the words "science" and "scientists" a lot I get increasingly skeptical. They don't add much to any discussion that isn't centered on appeals to authority.
Here's how I knew that global warming was happening and caused by man: a friend told me the top scientists agreed it was true.
I will actually accept a lot of information based on scientific consensus. However, recently, I learned eminent scientists are lying to me (and their colleagues), so my whole basis for belief fell apart. Also, I started looking at some of the data and discussion, and there are plenty of reasons to doubt - sane, statistical reasons... not like 9-11 is an inside job type conjecture.
I am an Obama-loving, liberal, pro-recycling, bike-owner, but I am no longer convinced that climate change is human-created, and I'm not satisfied that carbon abatement is the one true path to salvation. I actually do tend to believe these things are likelier true than not, but I am no longer one of the faithful.
When top scientists start lying to us, "cleaning up" data, and warning of the apocryphal end of man, I start to wonder if these scientists aren't just the witch doctors of another era, with different vestments and potions. But then I think, nah... the WSJ is right. They aren't superstitious, they are just human, corrupt, and greedy.