A Few Things Ill Considered

A layman's take on the science of Global Warming featuring a guide on How to Talk to a Climate Sceptic.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

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Swindled

RealClimate explains why UK TV Channel Four's recent "documentary" "The Great Global Warming Swindle" is actually self describing in its title, rather like the Junk Science website. For a revolting glimpse into how they get scientific voices to support their falsehoods read a letter to the station from one of their scientist interviewees. Money quote here:
Never before, however, have I had an experience like this one. My appearance in the "Global Warming Swindle" is deeply embarrasing, and my professional reputation has been damaged. I was duped

Sad, really. Reminds me of one of the "60 climate scientists" who signed that letter to the PM of Canada, he too said he was duped.

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posted by coby @ 3/11/2007 08:42:00 PM  

6 Comments:

  • At March 12, 2007 4:23 PM, Blogger Wag the Dog said…

    I saw a recording of it over the weekend with my brother. I gave it the MST3K treatment. Much of it reminded me of a JFK, 9/11 loose change, moon landing conspiracy type piece. Are we really expected to believe Thatcher was in cahoots with those evil environmentalists? And that our weather is controlled by cosmic rays? And that the reason remote villages in Africa have to use solar power is because of the evil environmental lobby and not because governments cannot afford to bring in power lines. Perhaps the Swindle was attempting to bridge a gap too wide, expecting us to swallow the conspiracy theory line and join the happy polluter camp. Still, it gives the anti-climate science fans something to rally around, judging from results of the Google blogsearch. Pity their belief system is built on such a poor foundation. Just goes to prove the old adage: a little learning is a dangerous thing.

     

  • At March 12, 2007 5:22 PM, Blogger coby said…

    Hi WtD,

    I clicked the link but don't get the MST3K remark. I agree that these particular conspiracy theories really are out there. I'm quite sure the baord at Exxon is laughing their guts out at their own supporters. Former oil industry folksat all the top levels of the US gov't but we are to believe that Greenpeace is pulling the world's strings...

     

  • At March 13, 2007 1:20 AM, Blogger Wag the Dog said…

    I clicked the link but don't get the MST3K remark.

    Mystery Science Theatre 3000? The show where a man and two robots are forced to watch B-movies and make wisecracks throughout the entire thing? It'll probably make for a great party activity. Gather your science friends around, watch the show from the Google feed (that way you don't reward the film company for this travesty), and make fun of all the flaws.

    There is probably a drinking game one can participate in. I'd imagine it would go something like this:

    * Take a sip everytime they mention a myth mentioned on Illconsidered.

    * Take a big gulp if they mention a myth not covered on Illconsidered.

    * Two sips for every outright lie.

    * A sip for every clip shown out of context. Hint: The Carl Wunsch clips but I bet he's not the only one.

    * Begin slurping when they show a distorted graph with faulty data. Keep drinking for as long as the graph is on screen.

    * A gulp everytime they blame the environmentalists for the worlds ills.

    Congratulations if you can last the full 90 minutes.

     

  • At March 15, 2007 1:09 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I did not see the programme, but I ran into many articles and blogs online about the fact that some statements have been taken out of the context.

    Still, there are theories that bring valid arguments and enough proves to sustain their content, even if they present controversies.

     

  • At March 16, 2007 5:47 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Yes, but many others have been duped by the global warming enthusiasts -- many of those 2,500 "scientists" who supposedly supported the IPCC report either didn't or weren't scientists! Let's give it a rest, since it seems that people on both sides of the arguments have been duped from time to time.

    By the way -- I enjoyed the "Swindle." It didn't seem quite as overblown as Al Gore's piece of propaganda! I love a good, feisty argument. I'm so sick and tired of all the holier-than-thou environmentalists. Give it a rest, people!

     

  • At March 27, 2007 5:50 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I managed to see the programme and you are right, it is much more objective than Al Gore's political campaign.

    I have added it in my blog also, because I think people should at least see a second opinion before taking Gore's side.

     

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