The most interesting part of the discussion of global warming has been its politicization. It is the alarmism that most people worried about, not the science. There were serious misrepresentations of the science occurring.
Fortunately, I am in a very convenient place. I am neither upset that global warming is being questioned, nor am I happy to see the tarnish on climatologists’ reputation.
But I’m very happy to see that people are starting to care about what is true.
No matter what else the hacked emails will do, they will at least cause further scrutiny of global warming science–which should always be welcome. Further transparency, further scrutiny, and better science is always a good thing, no matter the question. In other words, with any luck the topic of global warming will turn to solutions, transparency, and how global warming became so sensationalized to begin with.
I am hopeful that people will begin to think clearly on the matter. Rather like Dubner does here. His points are meaningful and his questions insightful. For example, if global warming is 100% real, will the proposed reforms really help us? (As a disclaimer, the person from Fox is about as uninsightful and inflammatory as possible, comparing climatologists to Hitler and Stalin. Literally.)
Two other important points. First, this is the second case where someone obtained information illegally that embarrassed people greatly. (The first was ACORN by Hannah Giles and James O’Keefe.) While I’m happy to see that the truth came out in both cases, I don’t know that the ends justify the means. Each party (from my limited understanding) broke the law here.
Finally, Dubner aside, the Fox presentation is sadly illustrative of today’s media. Notice how fox portrays supporters of global warming, literally likening them to Stalin and Hitler. This is inappropriate. It waters down what Hitler and Stalin did. Even if the climatologists are as nefarious as can be imagined, they are nothing like Hitler or Stalin. The worst they are being accused of fudging some science. That’s all. I don’t think Fox News is doing this because they are biased either, but for simpler reasons: ratings. Comparing people to Hitler always draws a crowd.
In other words, Dubner is insightful, and Fox is an interesting commentary on the state of our society. Enjoy.
Sincerely,
Farther Up
