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Member Since: 1/2006Last Seen: 8/05/2009

Climate Scientist To CEI: Stop Misrepresenting My Research

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Engineering Professor Curt Davis says that CEI TV Spots are Misrepresenting His Research. From the article:

Davis said that three points in his study unequivocally demonstrate the misleading aspect of the CEI ads.

- His study only included the East Antarctic ice sheet, not the entire Antarctic ice sheet.
- Growth of the ice sheet was only noted on the interior of the ice sheet and did not include coastal areas. Coastal areas are known to be losing mass, and these losses could offset or even outweigh the gains in the interior areas.
- The fact that the interior ice sheet is growing is a predicted consequence of global climate warming.

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{"commentId":131281,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

Its sounds like from the article all that they are doing is stating facts. If the East Antarctic ice sheet is growing and they are saying that the ice sheet is not shrinking, I'd say that would be stating facts. Its clearly stated that his research only included the East Antarctic ice sheet. So how are they misrepresenting his data? They aren't. The fact that they left out "predicted consequences" and coastal areas that were not included in his study is not misleading, its simply sticking to the facts, which is more than the scientist is willing to do.

{"commentId":131281,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Sat May 20, 2006 11:02 PM EDT
{"commentId":131304,"authorDomain":"bradfarris"}

K. Hodge - thanks for the comment. Shouldn't the person claiming to be misrepresented pretty much be the one to decide whether or not he's being misrepresented? Do you have some authority on which you base your claim that a scientist who has done work and is familiar with its conclusions is lying (or "not sticking to the facts")?

Seriously.

{"commentId":131304,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
  • 14 votes
#1.1 - Sat May 20, 2006 11:43 PM EDT
{"commentId":131336,"authorDomain":"murat"}

You don't think selectively presenting facts then interpreting them to suggest exactly the opposite of what the facts suggest is misrepresentation?

{"commentId":131336,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
  • 14 votes
#1.2 - Sun May 21, 2006 12:58 AM EDT
{"commentId":131343,"authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

there was the same arguement on greenland but after research from nasa satelites, they discovered as predicted, that while the interior thickness of greenland has grown, it is more than ofset by the total loss of ice.
exxon makes it sound like scienctist are ignoring the evidence and just making up global warming because of soe misguided attempt to get us to quit driving cars. while i am sure the scienctist also drive cars they must own tons of stock in horses huh.

{"commentId":131343,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}
  • 2 votes
#1.3 - Sun May 21, 2006 1:25 AM EDT
{"commentId":131412,"authorDomain":"canthes"}

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc.

Or how about this analogy - I roll a pair of dice and get a 2 and a 4. You say I rolled a 4, which is technically a "fact", but you leave out that I actually rolled 2 dice and that the total of the 2 dice was actually 6. Is that somehow NOT misleading?

I suppose it's not if you bet on me rolling 4, and the person you bet against is dumb enough to accept your results.

{"commentId":131412,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"canthes"}
  • 7 votes
#1.4 - Sun May 21, 2006 6:20 AM EDT
{"commentId":131609,"authorDomain":"superfive"}

If the ads say that, based on Davis' research, "the antarctic ice sheet is growing," or even just "the Eastern antarctic ice sheet is growing," then they are drawing a conclusion which, even if true, is a logical fallacy. To make a claim about the entire ice sheet based on research about the interior portion of the ice sheet is premature and logically and statistically inaccurate, and therefore certainly misleading, possible outright falsehood.

{"commentId":131609,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"superfive"}
  • 2 votes
#1.5 - Sun May 21, 2006 2:41 PM EDT
{"commentId":131641,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

Do any of you know that they are Selectively presenting facts?
I said FROM THE ARTICLE IT SOUNDS LIKE they are actually ONLY presenting facts. Not conclusions based on predictions.

Have any of you seen this commercial? have any of you seen his research?

{"commentId":131641,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
  • 1 vote
#1.6 - Sun May 21, 2006 4:03 PM EDT
{"commentId":131651,"authorDomain":"bradfarris"}

Yes, in fact, I have. Have you?

If not, here are the commercials. See whether you think that CEI is being honest. See if you think that when they get to the part about this particular study, you think it is accurate for them to say "The Antarctic ice sheet is getting thicker, not thinner" at the moment when they show a picture of Davis' paper and highlight his name. As Davis points out, his research does not support the claim that "The Antarctic ice sheet is getting thicker, not thinner," rather his research shows that, while a particular portion of a particular ice sheet is getting thicker, it is getting thinner in other portions simultaneously.

{"commentId":131651,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
    #1.7 - Sun May 21, 2006 4:14 PM EDT
    {"commentId":131675,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

    your link didn't work. It pointed to nothing

    {"commentId":131675,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
    • 1 vote
    #1.8 - Sun May 21, 2006 4:49 PM EDT
    {"commentId":131678,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

    If that is what the commercial says then my point is moot.

    {"commentId":131678,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
    • 1 vote
    #1.9 - Sun May 21, 2006 4:50 PM EDT
    {"commentId":131681,"authorDomain":"bradfarris"}

    I'm sorry. I'm an idiot. Here it is. This one should work. One of these days I'll learn to double check my work...

    ;-)

    {"commentId":131681,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
      #1.10 - Sun May 21, 2006 4:53 PM EDT
      {"commentId":131696,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

      hahaha. those commercials are absolutely brutal. Worst catch phrase i've ever heard. Carbon Dioxide, they call it polution, we call it life.

      {"commentId":131696,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      • 2 votes
      #1.11 - Sun May 21, 2006 5:17 PM EDT
      {"commentId":131727,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

      now where's the link to the research? hahaha

      {"commentId":131727,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      • 1 vote
      #1.12 - Sun May 21, 2006 5:53 PM EDT
      Reply
      {"commentId":131369,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      K.HodgeExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

      Just because the bastard that did the research desided that they mean that global warming is occuring, or that they suggest global warming, doesn't mean that he's right? Does it? They simply took his data and came up with their own conclusion, which is just as valid. Is it not?

      {"commentId":131369,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      • 1 vote
      Reply#2 - Sun May 21, 2006 3:09 AM EDT
      {"commentId":131382,"authorDomain":"murat"}

      The "bastard" didn't decide what his results meant. There was a prediction out there as to what would be observed as a result of global warming, and this guys research confirmed the prediction.

      If you want to draw your own conclusions from his research, the honest thing to do is acknowledge that your conclusions are at odds with the existing consensus and explain why.

      {"commentId":131382,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
      • 2 votes
      #2.1 - Sun May 21, 2006 3:57 AM EDT
      {"commentId":131393,"authorDomain":"lll"}

      K.Hodge: do you also believe in Intelligent Falling?

      {"commentId":131393,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"lll"}
      • 6 votes
      #2.2 - Sun May 21, 2006 5:15 AM EDT
      {"commentId":131447,"authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
      Just because the bastard that did the research...

      Thank you, K.Hodge, for clearing up any doubts that anyone might have had about your objectivity regarding this matter.

      {"commentId":131447,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
      • 2 votes
      #2.3 - Sun May 21, 2006 8:56 AM EDT
      {"commentId":131533,"authorDomain":"Byronsnake"}

      No, it definitely is not valid. You are obviously not a scientist. Scientific research is very carefully and meticulously performed. To take some of the results out of the context of the entire research effort is scientifically meaningless. It is politically significant, however, as propaganda.

      {"commentId":131533,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"Byronsnake"}
      • 2 votes
      #2.4 - Sun May 21, 2006 11:58 AM EDT
      {"commentId":131634,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

      He didn't confirm any prediction. All he confirmed was that the East Antarctic ice sheet is growing in the interior. His research did not confirm that this is what would happen when global warming occurs. You can't just say, this is what will happen when global warming occurs, prove that this is what is occuring and then say that it is a confirmation of global warming.

      lll - just because you didn't call me Stupid in so many words doesn't mean your comment isn't inappropriate. How about this.... do you believe that you actually contributed to this thread? because if you did, i'd call that intelligence failing.

      Brad Farris, to claim objectivity is to claim that you have no opinion on the matter. I sincerely doubt you have no opinion on the matter, and thus have no objectivity on the matter either.

      ByronSnake, thanks for pointing out that I am not a scientist. This "scientist" in question is actually an Engineering proffesor.... not a scientist. Scientific research may be very carefully and meticulously performed, but it has been wrong or faked on MANY occasions. Stem Cells? I've never actually seen the advertisment in question, all I said was that from the article it sounds not like they were Misrepresenting his research, it sounds like they just took his actual research and came up with their own conclusions.

      {"commentId":131634,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      • 1 vote
      #2.5 - Sun May 21, 2006 3:49 PM EDT
      {"commentId":131679,"authorDomain":"murat"}
      He didn't confirm any prediction.

      Read the article.

      "...the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said that if global warming were occurring, increased precipitation in Antarctica's interior would likely result. In his study, Davis reported growth in interior East Antarctica. He said this growth was probably caused by an increase in precipitation."

      So, his study lends credence to the hypothesis that global warming is occurring.

      Is it proof of global warming? No.

      Is it suggestive of global warming? Yes.

      Is it a misrepresentation to claim his study shows that global warming is not happening? Absolutely.

      {"commentId":131679,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
      • 2 votes
      #2.6 - Sun May 21, 2006 4:50 PM EDT
      {"commentId":131682,"authorDomain":"murat"}
      to claim objectivity is to claim that you have no opinion on the matter

      No.

      To be objective means "not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts". There is a difference.

      {"commentId":131682,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
      • 2 votes
      #2.7 - Sun May 21, 2006 4:55 PM EDT
      {"commentId":131691,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      his study lends credence

      He didn't confirm any prediction.

      Regardless if it is suggestive or not. Its not fact until its fact. If he'd shown that this was caused by an increase in precipitation which was a direct result of the earth heating up, then they would not have been able to "misrepresent his data". Even though they aren't misrepresenting it.... they are misrepresenting other people's data by using his data.

      {"commentId":131691,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      • 1 vote
      #2.8 - Sun May 21, 2006 5:12 PM EDT
      {"commentId":131718,"authorDomain":"murat"}

      The point isn't whether his conclusions are "fact". The point is that CEI are implying that his study supports their claim that the icecaps aren't shrinking.

      {"commentId":131718,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
      • 1 vote
      #2.9 - Sun May 21, 2006 5:44 PM EDT
      {"commentId":131738,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

      that wasn't my point.

      {"commentId":131738,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      • 1 vote
      #2.10 - Sun May 21, 2006 6:23 PM EDT
      {"commentId":131745,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

      By the way, i'd like to thank everyone else who jumped on the I'm an idiot bandwagon, and voted the comment enough times to get a star.

      {"commentId":131745,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      • 1 vote
      #2.11 - Sun May 21, 2006 6:34 PM EDT
      {"commentId":131768,"authorDomain":"murat"}
      that wasn't my point.

      Are you being misrepresented? I think not.

      In the very first comment on this article, you claimed that the CEI wasn't misrepresenting anything. It is cleat that they are. Do you disagree?

      {"commentId":131768,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
      • 1 vote
      #2.12 - Sun May 21, 2006 7:16 PM EDT
      {"commentId":131823,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

      Yes i disagree. I've said that i've never seen the commercials(or at least hadn't at the time) so how I am supposed to know if they were or weren't misrepresenting anything? Its not clear that they are because you haven't seen his research, and from just reading the article it doesn't sound like any of his research is being misrepresented.

      {"commentId":131823,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      • 1 vote
      #2.13 - Sun May 21, 2006 9:13 PM EDT
      {"commentId":132943,"authorDomain":"lll"}
      lll - just because you didn't call me Stupid in so many words doesn't mean your comment isn't inappropriate. How about this.... do you believe that you actually contributed to this thread? because if you did, i'd call that intelligence failing.

      Yes, I believe I contributed.

      1) I contributed a legitimate question: do you believe in Intelligent Falling. It is a legitimate question since you do not seem to have much understanding of science; and I wanted to confirm.

      2) It was funny.

      3) It did not call you stupid; you called yourself so. That word did not cross my mind. And by calling a very well-known scientist a "bastard" without the background to do so, you are already extremely disrespectful. Just giving you some of your own medicine.

      {"commentId":132943,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"lll"}
      • 3 votes
      #2.14 - Tue May 23, 2006 2:38 AM EDT
      {"commentId":132957,"authorDomain":"murat"}
      I've said that i've never seen the commercials(or at least hadn't at the time) so how I am supposed to know if they were or weren't misrepresenting anything?

      And yet you came charging out with the claim that the CEI wasn't anything. What's up with that?

      Its not clear that they are because you haven't seen his research...

      Yes I have. It's all over the web. Google is your friend.

      nd from just reading the article it doesn't sound like any of his research is being misrepresented.

      Funny, that's not the impression I got. Further (easy to do) research confirmed it.

      {"commentId":132957,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
      • 3 votes
      #2.15 - Tue May 23, 2006 3:29 AM EDT
      {"commentId":133689,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      1) I contributed a legitimate question: do you believe in Intelligent Falling. It is a legitimate question since you do not seem to have much understanding of science; and I wanted to confirm.

      Is my understanding of science, or lack there of if that's how you'd prefer to put it, what this topic is about, is Intelligent Falling what this topic is about? No. Thanks for coming out big shot.

      2) It was funny.

      You may think its funny to insult other people's intelligence, but then again you'd probably be the kind of person to think that playing Dungeons and Dragons is a valuable use of your time.

      3) It did not call you stupid; you called yourself so. That word did not cross my mind.

      Apparently you have trouble with the phrase "Just because you didn't call me Stupid in so many words doesn't mean your comment isn't inappropriate." Maybe you should take all of this time that you put into your funny comments, and spend it learning how to read properly?

      And by calling a very well-known scientist a "bastard" without the background to do so, you are already extremely disrespectful. Just giving you some of your own medicine.

      This very-well known scientist isn't a scientist, he's an engineering professor. And for your information, I can bloody well call anyone a bastard without any background, not that you have any idea what my background is, do you? I think its funny that you find me "already extremely disrespectful" when you have been nothing but the same. Two wrongs don't make a right? As for giving me some of my own medicine, that might actually be the first valid statement you've made.... except for the fact that i didn't use the word bastard until after you made your decidedly unoriginal point that I must be an idiot.

      Thanks again for contributing nothing to this thread.

      {"commentId":133689,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      • 1 vote
      #2.16 - Tue May 23, 2006 7:07 PM EDT
      {"commentId":133693,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

      murat, if you have a link to his research, i'd love to see it, please post a link. Thanks.

      {"commentId":133693,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      • 1 vote
      #2.17 - Tue May 23, 2006 7:10 PM EDT
      {"commentId":133938,"authorDomain":"lll"}
      Is my understanding of science, or lack there of if that's how you'd prefer to put it, what this topic is about, is Intelligent Falling what this topic is about?No. Thanks for coming out big shot.

      Judging from your comment about a Professor being a bastard, it was mighty obvious. In fact, your comment got "collapsed"...talk about having "no value".

      You may think its funny to insult other people's intelligence, but then again you'd probably be the kind of person to think that playing Dungeons and Dragons is a valuable use of your time.

      No idea how you got the D&D idea, that's really interesting. Your educated guess is certainly interesting; but it needs serious adjustment.

      Apparently you have trouble with the phrase "Just because you didn't call me Stupid in so many words doesn't mean your comment isn't inappropriate." Maybe you should take all of this time that you put into your funny comments, and spend it learning how to read properly?

      Thanks! I will!

      This very-well known scientist isn't a scientist, he's an engineering professor. And for your information, I can bloody well call anyone a bastard without any background, not that you have any idea what my background is, do you?

      Yes, feel free to call anyone bastard. I have no problem with that. Don't get all defensive when others call you disrespectful then. If you have any decent background, you would have the decency to argue by points, other than adjectives.

      With all due respect, as an engineering lecturer myself, Professor Davis is a scientist who works in the ICREST. Engineering researchers, including myself, often involve in environmental and other areas of research. After all, these researches require use of equipment (mostly for measurement) made with the latest of engineering technologies, often custom-made at the top research universities. I guess you really have no idea. And I would love to know your background, so I will not under-estimate you again.

      I think its funny that you find me "already extremely disrespectful" when you have been nothing but the same. Two wrongs don't make a right? As for giving me some of my own medicine, that might actually be the first valid statement you've made.... except for the fact that i didn't use the word bastard until after you made your decidedly unoriginal point that I must be an idiot.

      Let's check the time stamps. You called Prof. Davis a bastard at 3am May 21st. I posted my first response at 5am on the same day. Who wrote first? Need a shovel?

      I am done with this. You are not worth more of my heartbeats.

      {"commentId":133938,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"lll"}
      • 3 votes
      #2.18 - Wed May 24, 2006 12:04 AM EDT
      {"commentId":133941,"authorDomain":"lll"}

      Oh. Knock yourself out:

      Prof Davis's Journal paper list

      Prof Davis's papers - available on Google Scholar

      {"commentId":133941,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"lll"}
      • 3 votes
      #2.19 - Wed May 24, 2006 12:08 AM EDT
      {"commentId":133989,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

      So far what i've found from the second link you gave me is this.

      nowfall-Driven Growth in East Antarctic Ice Sheet Mitigates Recent Sea-Level Rise
      Curt H. Davis,1* Yonghong Li,1 Joseph R. McConnell,2 Markus M. Frey,3 Edward Hanna4

      Satellite radar altimetry measurements indicate that the East Antarctic ice-sheet interior north of 81.6°S increased in mass by 45 ± 7 billion metric tons per year from 1992 to 2003. Comparisons with contemporaneous meteorological model snowfall estimates suggest that the gain in mass was associated with increased precipitation. A gain of this magnitude is enough to slow sea-level rise by 0.12 ± 0.02 millimeters per year.

      1 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Missouri–Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
      2 Desert Research Institute, University and Community College System of Nevada, Reno, NV 89512, USA.
      3 Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
      4 Department of Geography, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.

      nothing else on Antarctica yet... this really wouldn't prove his case.

      Judging from your comment about a Professor being a bastard, it was mighty obvious. In fact, your comment got "collapsed"...talk about having "no value".

      Maybe because you decided to respond?

      No idea how you got the D&D idea, that's really interesting. Your educated guess is certainly interesting; but it needs serious adjustment.

      Because the only people I know who'd go online to make a quip like the one you made is the kind of person that plays dungeons and dragons and gets a real hard on going onto the internet and adding useless little comments to make themselves feel just a little bit better about playing dungeons and dragons all day long. You seem like a fairly bright individual... or at least one who works hard, if you got through engineering. But just because you're someones ta, doesn't make you queen of the @!$%#ing world.

      I didn't get called disrespectful.. you asked me do i think i am an idiot. Not even called me an idiot, asked me if i was an idiot.

      If you have any decent background, you would have the decency to argue by points, other than adjectives.

      I've argued points throughout this whole topic. The only adjective any one has had any problem with is BASTARD. Which really, in this day and age should be the least of people's worries.

      My background is in computer science and mathematics.

      Let's check the time stamps. You called Prof. Davis a bastard at 3am May 21st. I posted my first response at 5am on the same day.

      Yah i was wrong about that one, the collapse box threw me off. oh well. i guess you made a valid statement hahahaha.

      thanks for the links...... and actually contributing to the thread.

      {"commentId":133989,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
      • 1 vote
      #2.20 - Wed May 24, 2006 2:05 AM EDT
      {"commentId":134013,"authorDomain":"murat"}
      nothing else on Antarctica yet... this really wouldn't prove his case.

      He's not required to "prove" a case; that's not how science works. He's presenting the results of his research and suggesting how his results comport with existing hypotheses. His observations are consistent with predictions made by others.

      {"commentId":134013,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
      • 1 vote
      #2.21 - Wed May 24, 2006 3:01 AM EDT
      Reply
      {"commentId":131409,"authorDomain":"Icarusinflight"}

      Seems to me that people interpret the facts to their own view point. My view point states global warming is occurring, the ice caps are melting, rising sea levels will occur......

      But hey if anyone wants to go around with their eyes closed, we live in a free society don't we, that is their choice. Pity the natural world who are the victims of man's ignorance and self delusion and future generations that will have to survive the mess we are creating.

      One can nick pick at interpretations all day long, is it just an excuse to do nothing and keep the status quo ?

      {"commentId":131409,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"Icarusinflight"}
      • 4 votes
      Reply#3 - Sun May 21, 2006 6:12 AM EDT
      {"commentId":131477,"authorDomain":"rockman"}

      @Icarusinflight: I think you read something into the article that wasn't there. It didn't mention the effects of these changes on sea level.

      Seems to me the scientist's point is that the ice in contact with the sea is melting, but the part that is on land is not and perhaps is growing. If that's the case, then there would be no increase in sea level worldwide. In fact, sea level may drop. Floating ice is in equilibrium with the ocean and therefore contains almost exactly the amount of water that it displaces. There's a minor difference because fresh and salt water are not the same density, but it's so minor that we can ignore it in the case of ice shelves.

      {"commentId":131477,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"rockman"}
      • 3 votes
      #3.1 - Sun May 21, 2006 10:24 AM EDT
      Reply
      {"commentId":131504,"authorDomain":"hallo"}
      Daniel A. HalloDeleted
      {"commentId":131613,"authorDomain":"superfive"}

      A question I would like answered:

      Assuming that a great majority of scientist are accurately and validly concluding that global warming is occurring, why would individuals with a minimal economic stake in the news be resistant to it?

      {"commentId":131613,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"superfive"}
        Reply#5 - Sun May 21, 2006 2:47 PM EDT
        {"commentId":131617,"authorDomain":"murat"}

        Because they may have political or ideological interests to defend?

        {"commentId":131617,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
        • 1 vote
        #5.1 - Sun May 21, 2006 2:58 PM EDT
        {"commentId":131622,"authorDomain":"hallo"}
        Daniel A. HalloDeleted
        {"commentId":132154,"authorDomain":"superfive"}
        You already have your answer and you are satisfied with it.

        Actually, no. I do have my own viewpoint and am not trying to hide it. But I genuinely do not understand why others hold the opposite viewpoint and am trying to understand. Clearly my diction with "assuming" is off, perhaps "given" would have been a better choice. Let me ask again:

        Given that a great majority of scientists have concluded that the global climate is trending toward warming, why would individuals who have no economic stake in the news, and who are not resistant to science in general, deny the conclusion?

        {"commentId":132154,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"superfive"}
          #5.3 - Mon May 22, 2006 11:34 AM EDT
          {"commentId":132177,"authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
          Given that a great majority of scientists have concluded that the global climate is trending toward warming, why would individuals who have no economic stake in the news, and who are not resistant to science in general, deny the conclusion?

          ericfive, which group are you referring to? I'm sure you realize that CEI certainly does have an economic stake in this issue. I don't think that the issue is really whether or not they are "resistant to science in general," but rather whether or not they are resistant to science which has the potential, if it becomes widely accepted, to have a negative financial impact on their business (more accurately, on the business of their clients and/or members).

          I suspect that, if there were some scientific research which concluded that nothing could be done about global warming, and that humans should therefore continue to consume fossil fuels and produce greenhouse gases at current rates, CEI would be happy to support it.

          {"commentId":132177,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
          • 2 votes
          #5.4 - Mon May 22, 2006 12:00 PM EDT
          {"commentId":132222,"authorDomain":"murat"}

          Let me ask again:

          Given that a great majority of scientists have concluded that the global climate is trending toward warming, why would individuals who have no economic stake in the news, and who are not resistant to science in general, deny the conclusion?

          Let me answer again: Because they may have political or ideological interests to defend?

          {"commentId":132222,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
          • 2 votes
          #5.5 - Mon May 22, 2006 12:44 PM EDT
          {"commentId":132638,"authorDomain":"superfive"}

          Brad:

          I'm thinking about individuals rather than groups such as CEI which obviously have a large stake in a particular outcome. There are many who deny that global warming exists at all, and many more who believe it to be anthropogenic and/or likely to have any real impact on our lives.

          Murat:

          Thank you for your patience. What politics and/or ideology would an individual hold to cause them to deny the scientific consensus?

          {"commentId":132638,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"superfive"}
            #5.6 - Mon May 22, 2006 7:40 PM EDT
            {"commentId":132653,"authorDomain":"bradfarris"}

            Hi, ericfive - I see that I misread your comment. I apologize.

            As to the question that you actually posed, I'm sorry to say that I don't know the answer to that for sure. Some people, I suppose, believe that they understand the situation thoroughly (as well they may), and simply don't like the idea of having false information "out there." Some may have a hidden interest (stock in an oil company, or, from the other side, stock in a solar energy firm). Aside from those types of interest, though, it's difficult to understand. I'll be interested to see if anything more helpful comes of your question.

            {"commentId":132653,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
              #5.7 - Mon May 22, 2006 7:57 PM EDT
              {"commentId":132658,"authorDomain":"hallo"}
              Daniel A. HalloDeleted
              {"commentId":132716,"authorDomain":"superfive"}

              Brad:

              I'm asking about individuals who are resistant to the idea of climate change in general, and anthropogenic, destructive climate change in particular. Why, if you don't hold stock in Exxon, or similar economic stake, would you deny the scientific consensus? And neither am I referring to folks who are skeptical of science in general (although I don't understand them, either, especially when they do things like use a hammer, electricity, polyester, etc).

              Murat:

              Thanks for your patience. Please clarify: which politics and ideologies are offended by the science of climate warming?

              {"commentId":132716,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"superfive"}
                #5.9 - Mon May 22, 2006 9:05 PM EDT
                {"commentId":132727,"authorDomain":"bradfarris"}

                Hi, ericfive - I see that I misread your comment. I apologize.

                As to the question that you actually posed, I'm sorry to say that I don't know the answer to that for sure. Some people, I suppose, believe that they understand the situation thoroughly (as well they may), and simply don't like the idea of having false information "out there." Some may have a hidden interest (stock in an oil company, or, from the other side, stock in a solar energy firm). Aside from those types of interest, though, it's difficult to understand. I'll be interested to see if anything more helpful comes of your question.

                {"commentId":132727,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"bradfarris"}
                  #5.10 - Mon May 22, 2006 9:14 PM EDT
                  {"commentId":132806,"authorDomain":"murat"}
                  Please clarify: which politics and ideologies are offended by the science of climate warming?

                  A couple of examples of the dynamic I had in mind:

                  That global warming is real and caused by humans is a position which has come to be largely identfied as a "lefty", "environmental", or vaguely "anti-capitalist" cause (but note that this may be changing). For "culture warriors" on the right, it becomes difficult to embrace a position largely identified with the other side.

                  Then there are those who feel the need to defend the Bush administration against the "Bush haters". The Bush administration's position on global warming is at odds with the scientific consensus, but for a defender of Bush to adopt a different position would be to conceed that "Bush haters" might have a point.

                  {"commentId":132806,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
                  • 2 votes
                  #5.11 - Mon May 22, 2006 11:03 PM EDT
                  {"commentId":132862,"authorDomain":"superfive"}

                  You have articulated a sad fact of human nature: we cling to and defend our sentiments in the face of all reason and evidence. I think the strongest argument for a Divine/Supreme Being is that we haven't yet destroyed ourselves...

                  {"commentId":132862,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"superfive"}
                    #5.12 - Tue May 23, 2006 12:15 AM EDT
                    {"commentId":132867,"authorDomain":"superfive"}
                    If you where to use The Tobacco Industries denial of the harm of cigarette smoke to your health, even though it was shown to cause cancer and birth defects by the established scientific community

                    Actually, you have provided me another answer, even though you're still not quite getting the gist of my question.

                    And the other answer may be: addiction.

                    If I'm addicted to tobacco or energy consumption, it's a lot easier to deny, and therefore more comfortable to continue, if a loud voice can proclaim there is nothing wrong with my behavior...

                    {"commentId":132867,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"superfive"}
                    • 1 vote
                    #5.13 - Tue May 23, 2006 12:23 AM EDT
                    {"commentId":132885,"authorDomain":"hallo"}
                    Daniel A. HalloDeleted
                    Reply
                    {"commentId":132456,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}
                    Given that a great majority of scientists have concluded that the global climate is trending toward warming, why would individuals who have no economic stake in the news, and who are not resistant to science in general, deny the conclusion?

                    Because the majority of articles written don't say that the global climate is "trending" towards warming, they blow it completely out of proportion and say that in one hundred years there will be mass extinction, floods, the ice caps will melt, the oceans will rise by 20 feet, and the greenhouse effect will compound upon itself. Sure there is a problem with the way that we are releasing pollutants into the air, and the way that we are abusing natural resources is terrible, but a article that puts things way over the top doesn't actually help anything, in fact it just creates more skeptics. Not to mention there are other things that might happen that we can't include in a model. eg: maybe there will be more cloud cover(this has been said to both negate and enhance the effects of global warming), maybe the earth start to have reduced periods of sunlight?, maybe there will be another volcano on the scale of Krakatoa?, with the glaciers melting that will actually cause the ocean to cool off, which might trigger a reverse effect of the so called "feedback mechanism". There are so many unknowns that there is no way to put them all into a model, and even if there was, who's to say that model is correct? Only time will tell. Until then all this press is just sensationalism and it is doing more harm than good.

                    {"commentId":132456,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
                    • 2 votes
                    Reply#6 - Mon May 22, 2006 4:47 PM EDT
                    {"commentId":132476,"authorDomain":"murat"}
                    Because the majority of articles written don't say that the global climate is "trending" towards warming, they blow it completely out of proportion...

                    But the ads from the CEI deny that the global climate is even changing.

                    You may think that burying your head in the sand is less harmful than crying "the sky is falling", but I would claim that the consequences of being wrong are much worse in one case than in the other.

                    {"commentId":132476,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
                    • 1 vote
                    #6.1 - Mon May 22, 2006 5:11 PM EDT
                    {"commentId":132517,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

                    I will never defend those dumb ads. I was simply saying that FROM THE ARTICLE it sounds like they weren't misrepresenting his data.

                    You may think that burying your head in the sand is less harmful than crying "the sky is falling", but I would claim that the consequences of being wrong are much worse in one case than in the other.

                    But what proof do you have?

                    I'm not saying do nothing. I'm saying that presenting retard models(crying the sky is falling) isn't helping.

                    {"commentId":132517,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
                    • 1 vote
                    #6.2 - Mon May 22, 2006 5:50 PM EDT
                    {"commentId":132720,"authorDomain":"murat"}
                    I was simply saying that FROM THE ARTICLE it sounds like they weren't misrepresenting his data.

                    If you're saying that the CEI did not incorrectly report some fact from Dr. Davis' research, you're missing the larger point. We've been trying to point that out.

                    But what proof do you have?

                    Are you claiming that it is as easy to restore a destryed ecosystem than it is to repair an economy?

                    I'm not saying do nothing. I'm saying that presenting retard models(crying the sky is falling) isn't helping.

                    Fair enough. But no one is presenting "retard models". That's a strawman introduced by you.

                    {"commentId":132720,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
                    • 2 votes
                    #6.3 - Mon May 22, 2006 9:07 PM EDT
                    {"commentId":132758,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

                    And the larger point is what? that they don't share his opinion on what those facts mean? I understand the larger point, i'm just saying that Mr.Davis is wrong when he says they are misrepresenting his data.

                    Are you suggesting the only way to save the ecosystem is to destroy the economy?

                    Lots of people are presenting retarded models, just not in this thread, which is why i added the "crying the sky is falling" in brackets....

                    {"commentId":132758,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
                    • 1 vote
                    #6.4 - Mon May 22, 2006 9:44 PM EDT
                    {"commentId":132812,"authorDomain":"murat"}
                    I understand the larger point, i'm just saying that Mr.Davis is wrong when he says they are misrepresenting his data.

                    Mr Davis doesn't claim that the CEI is "misrepresenting his data". He claims that

                    (t)hey are selectively using only parts of my previous research to support their claims. They are not telling the entire story to the public.

                    What the CEI is doing in their ads (which you yourself found indefensible) is dishonest.

                    {"commentId":132812,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
                    • 1 vote
                    #6.5 - Mon May 22, 2006 11:08 PM EDT
                    {"commentId":132813,"authorDomain":"murat"}
                    Lots of people are presenting retarded models

                    Are these just crackpots or serious scientists? Can you point some out?

                    {"commentId":132813,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"murat"}
                    • 1 vote
                    #6.6 - Mon May 22, 2006 11:11 PM EDT
                    Reply
                    {"commentId":132460,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

                    And thats not even taking into account the various methods that humans might try to intervene, such as covering the glaciers with a reflective surface in the summer.(something they are starting to do in switzerland so that they can keep their ski resorts, or spraying up ocean water in a fine mist onto the glaciers in the winter time so that they will form faster.

                    {"commentId":132460,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
                    • 1 vote
                    Reply#7 - Mon May 22, 2006 4:54 PM EDT
                    {"commentId":137075,"authorDomain":"hallo"}
                    Daniel A. HalloDeleted
                    {"commentId":137457,"authorDomain":"hodgie"}

                    i dont have a president.

                    {"commentId":137457,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"hodgie"}
                      #7.2 - Sat May 27, 2006 2:20 PM EDT
                      Reply
                      {"commentId":137049,"authorDomain":"Byronsnake"}

                      The Antarctic is not melting. It is breaking apart at the edges. Glacier speed has increased, and many glaciers are thinning. The ice on Mount Kilimanjaro is disappearing. It must be the damned liberals doing it.

                      {"commentId":137049,"threadId":"11118","contentId":"211514","authorDomain":"Byronsnake"}
                      • 1 vote
                      Reply#8 - Fri May 26, 2006 9:18 PM EDT
                      {"commentId":137076,"authorDomain":"hallo"}
                      Daniel A. HalloDeleted
                      Reply
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