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  4. The science of not believing in science [modified]

The science of not believing in science [modified]

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  • W Offline
    W Offline
    wolfbinary
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    I thought it was fascinating given the endless debates that take place here. http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/03/denial-science-chris-mooney?page=1[^] <edit>This is not a post about climate science or any other pet posting project people have been known for. It is a post about psychology.</edit>

    That's called seagull management (or sometimes pigeon management)... Fly in, flap your arms and squawk a lot, crap all over everything and fly out again... by _Damian S_

    modified on Monday, April 25, 2011 9:58 AM

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    • W wolfbinary

      I thought it was fascinating given the endless debates that take place here. http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/03/denial-science-chris-mooney?page=1[^] <edit>This is not a post about climate science or any other pet posting project people have been known for. It is a post about psychology.</edit>

      That's called seagull management (or sometimes pigeon management)... Fly in, flap your arms and squawk a lot, crap all over everything and fly out again... by _Damian S_

      modified on Monday, April 25, 2011 9:58 AM

      O Offline
      O Offline
      Oakman
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      Yes, I agree, it is amazing how much of religion there is in both economic and environmental theory these days. I can remember back when science - even the soft sciences - were the natural home of skeptics and questioners.

      "Repensum Est Canicula"

      S 1 Reply Last reply
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      • W wolfbinary

        I thought it was fascinating given the endless debates that take place here. http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/03/denial-science-chris-mooney?page=1[^] <edit>This is not a post about climate science or any other pet posting project people have been known for. It is a post about psychology.</edit>

        That's called seagull management (or sometimes pigeon management)... Fly in, flap your arms and squawk a lot, crap all over everything and fly out again... by _Damian S_

        modified on Monday, April 25, 2011 9:58 AM

        L Offline
        L Offline
        Lost User
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        Climate Change denial post in the SB? Tut tut, you know its now against the rules... :) A few point thoughh before Chris deletes it... 1) I am not that surprised by the contents, I have known for a long time that peoplel are capable of the most incredible self dellusion. The oposite is an almost impossible state where one constantly quesitons ones reasons and motives, almost to the point of being incapable of acting for without passion, and interest we acchieve little. Its is therefore naturtal that people seek to understand, and once they have a theory, like to try to proves its validity. 2) Throwing AGW scepticism in the same pile as people who believe they are aliens and incarnations of Jesus is a pathetic slandering that pretty much discredits the entire piece. 3) Only a complete moron would have believed Sadam had WMD (given that he was at his strongest after defeating Iran, and then got invaded by the US (Gulf war 1, the US very nearly got to Baghdad) and he dodnt use any WMD to defend Iraq. After that the country was the subject of sanctions and no fly zones. A situation hardly likely to increase his capability.) 4) The Climategate emails did not only find resonance with 'republicans', and dont forget that terms has no meaning outside the US, for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that politics has got fuck all to do with the validity of a scientific theory, it also drove people like Monbiot to question AGW. 5) Climategate was a staggering exposure of complicity, data manipulation and disregard for scientific transparency at the very heart of the AGW position. 6) The state of science regarding AGW is sufficiently imature that it is right to be sceptical. That IS the nature of science.

        Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost

        modified on Saturday, April 23, 2011 5:09 AM

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        • O Oakman

          Yes, I agree, it is amazing how much of religion there is in both economic and environmental theory these days. I can remember back when science - even the soft sciences - were the natural home of skeptics and questioners.

          "Repensum Est Canicula"

          S Offline
          S Offline
          soap brain
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Oakman wrote:

          it is amazing how much of religion there is in both economic and environmental theory these days.

          Did you arrive at this conclusion by reading scientific journal articles?

          Oakman wrote:

          I can remember back when science - even the soft sciences - were the natural home of skeptics and questioners.

          :laugh: I find it amusing that you consider yourself sufficiently involved in science to make such a comparison.

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          • L Lost User

            Climate Change denial post in the SB? Tut tut, you know its now against the rules... :) A few point thoughh before Chris deletes it... 1) I am not that surprised by the contents, I have known for a long time that peoplel are capable of the most incredible self dellusion. The oposite is an almost impossible state where one constantly quesitons ones reasons and motives, almost to the point of being incapable of acting for without passion, and interest we acchieve little. Its is therefore naturtal that people seek to understand, and once they have a theory, like to try to proves its validity. 2) Throwing AGW scepticism in the same pile as people who believe they are aliens and incarnations of Jesus is a pathetic slandering that pretty much discredits the entire piece. 3) Only a complete moron would have believed Sadam had WMD (given that he was at his strongest after defeating Iran, and then got invaded by the US (Gulf war 1, the US very nearly got to Baghdad) and he dodnt use any WMD to defend Iraq. After that the country was the subject of sanctions and no fly zones. A situation hardly likely to increase his capability.) 4) The Climategate emails did not only find resonance with 'republicans', and dont forget that terms has no meaning outside the US, for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that politics has got fuck all to do with the validity of a scientific theory, it also drove people like Monbiot to question AGW. 5) Climategate was a staggering exposure of complicity, data manipulation and disregard for scientific transparency at the very heart of the AGW position. 6) The state of science regarding AGW is sufficiently imature that it is right to be sceptical. That IS the nature of science.

            Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost

            modified on Saturday, April 23, 2011 5:09 AM

            G Offline
            G Offline
            GenJerDan
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            fat_boy wrote:

            Only a complete moron would have believed Sadam had WMD (given that he was at his strongest after defeating Iran, and then got invaded by the US (Gulf war 1, the US very nearly got to Baghdad) and he dodnt use any WMD to defend Iraq. After that the country was the subject of sanctions and no fly zones. A situation hardly likely to increase his capability.)

            Well, of course not. In general, you don't nuke yourself if you can help it. Nukes are really only useful if you toss them over there, not right here. Also, it would have guaranteed changing the ROE to something a bit harsher. :laugh:

            The enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy is Kevin Bacon. My Mu[sic] My Films My Windows Programs, etc.

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            • W wolfbinary

              I thought it was fascinating given the endless debates that take place here. http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/03/denial-science-chris-mooney?page=1[^] <edit>This is not a post about climate science or any other pet posting project people have been known for. It is a post about psychology.</edit>

              That's called seagull management (or sometimes pigeon management)... Fly in, flap your arms and squawk a lot, crap all over everything and fly out again... by _Damian S_

              modified on Monday, April 25, 2011 9:58 AM

              R Offline
              R Offline
              R Giskard Reventlov
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              It's alll a bit 'he would say that, wouldn't he'. Too much on both sides is predicated on simply denying the other is correct whilst not offering any rock-solid proof, one way or the other. At best, it is conjecture and hypothesis; at worst it is dangerous twaddle designed to manipulate and subdue the masses. Apply that whichever way round suits: in the meantime I shall continue with my opinion since I've not yet seen anything that makes me think I need to alter it.

              "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

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              • R R Giskard Reventlov

                It's alll a bit 'he would say that, wouldn't he'. Too much on both sides is predicated on simply denying the other is correct whilst not offering any rock-solid proof, one way or the other. At best, it is conjecture and hypothesis; at worst it is dangerous twaddle designed to manipulate and subdue the masses. Apply that whichever way round suits: in the meantime I shall continue with my opinion since I've not yet seen anything that makes me think I need to alter it.

                "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

                O Offline
                O Offline
                Oakman
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                digital man wrote:

                in the meantime I shall continue with my opinion since I've not yet seen anything that makes me think I need to alter it.

                :thumbsup::thumbsup:

                "Repensum Est Canicula"

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                • G GenJerDan

                  fat_boy wrote:

                  Only a complete moron would have believed Sadam had WMD (given that he was at his strongest after defeating Iran, and then got invaded by the US (Gulf war 1, the US very nearly got to Baghdad) and he dodnt use any WMD to defend Iraq. After that the country was the subject of sanctions and no fly zones. A situation hardly likely to increase his capability.)

                  Well, of course not. In general, you don't nuke yourself if you can help it. Nukes are really only useful if you toss them over there, not right here. Also, it would have guaranteed changing the ROE to something a bit harsher. :laugh:

                  The enemy of my enemy of my enemy of my enemy is Kevin Bacon. My Mu[sic] My Films My Windows Programs, etc.

                  L Offline
                  L Offline
                  Lost User
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  WMD isnt only nukes. He didnt use any of them. In any case, he would have nuked the south east of Iraq, its full of shias.

                  Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost

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                  • R R Giskard Reventlov

                    It's alll a bit 'he would say that, wouldn't he'. Too much on both sides is predicated on simply denying the other is correct whilst not offering any rock-solid proof, one way or the other. At best, it is conjecture and hypothesis; at worst it is dangerous twaddle designed to manipulate and subdue the masses. Apply that whichever way round suits: in the meantime I shall continue with my opinion since I've not yet seen anything that makes me think I need to alter it.

                    "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

                    L Offline
                    L Offline
                    Lost User
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    digital man wrote:

                    Apply that whichever way round suits: in the meantime I shall continue with my opinion since I've not yet seen anything that makes me think I need to alter it.

                    I wouldnt use a colon there. The second phrase isnt an elaboration of the first, its just a seperate statement.

                    Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost

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                    • L Lost User

                      digital man wrote:

                      Apply that whichever way round suits: in the meantime I shall continue with my opinion since I've not yet seen anything that makes me think I need to alter it.

                      I wouldnt use a colon there. The second phrase isnt an elaboration of the first, its just a seperate statement.

                      Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost

                      L Offline
                      L Offline
                      Lost User
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      How about a bowel? :laugh:

                      Join the cool kids - Come fold with us[^]

                      1 Reply Last reply
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                      • L Lost User

                        digital man wrote:

                        Apply that whichever way round suits: in the meantime I shall continue with my opinion since I've not yet seen anything that makes me think I need to alter it.

                        I wouldnt use a colon there. The second phrase isnt an elaboration of the first, its just a seperate statement.

                        Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost

                        O Offline
                        O Offline
                        Oakman
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        fat_boy wrote:

                        its just a seperate statement.

                        and a separate one, too? ;)

                        "Repensum Est Canicula"

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • W wolfbinary

                          I thought it was fascinating given the endless debates that take place here. http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/03/denial-science-chris-mooney?page=1[^] <edit>This is not a post about climate science or any other pet posting project people have been known for. It is a post about psychology.</edit>

                          That's called seagull management (or sometimes pigeon management)... Fly in, flap your arms and squawk a lot, crap all over everything and fly out again... by _Damian S_

                          modified on Monday, April 25, 2011 9:58 AM

                          L Offline
                          L Offline
                          Lost User
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          According to young Ravel, statements by Dr David Evans on CAGW are to be ignored because he is merely an Electrical Engineer. Accordingly, should statements by Chris Mooney on Psychology be ignored because he is merely a English major? I mean, did he really understand any of those papers he linked to? :)

                          Everybody is elitist to a certain extent; except me - I'm better than that. Micah

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                          • L Lost User

                            According to young Ravel, statements by Dr David Evans on CAGW are to be ignored because he is merely an Electrical Engineer. Accordingly, should statements by Chris Mooney on Psychology be ignored because he is merely a English major? I mean, did he really understand any of those papers he linked to? :)

                            Everybody is elitist to a certain extent; except me - I'm better than that. Micah

                            O Offline
                            O Offline
                            Oakman
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            ict558 wrote:

                            I mean, did he really understand any of those papers he linked to

                            I recently read, in an article talking about religion and religionists, that one of the first responses to being questioned about their faith is to say that the questioner doesn't have the ecclesiastical or theological training to understand the inner workings of the religion's mysteries. Ultimately this boils down to an upgraded version of "You'll understand when you're older," and is intended merely to place the religionist in a parental, that is to say, superior, position in regards to the questioner.

                            "Repensum Est Canicula"

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                            • L Lost User

                              digital man wrote:

                              Apply that whichever way round suits: in the meantime I shall continue with my opinion since I've not yet seen anything that makes me think I need to alter it.

                              I wouldnt use a colon there. The second phrase isnt an elaboration of the first, its just a seperate statement.

                              Dr D Evans "The whole idea that carbon dioxide is the main cause of the recent global warming is based on a guess that was proved false by empirical evidence during the 1990s" financialpost

                              R Offline
                              R Offline
                              R Giskard Reventlov
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              Well pardon the fück out of me: who died and made you king of the keyboard?

                              "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

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                              • O Oakman

                                ict558 wrote:

                                I mean, did he really understand any of those papers he linked to

                                I recently read, in an article talking about religion and religionists, that one of the first responses to being questioned about their faith is to say that the questioner doesn't have the ecclesiastical or theological training to understand the inner workings of the religion's mysteries. Ultimately this boils down to an upgraded version of "You'll understand when you're older," and is intended merely to place the religionist in a parental, that is to say, superior, position in regards to the questioner.

                                "Repensum Est Canicula"

                                L Offline
                                L Offline
                                Lost User
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                Oakman wrote:

                                You'll understand when you're older

                                For me, as child and parent, that phrase was used to cover those things that can be explained but not fully comprehended until experienced. Appropriate to the emotional aspects of adult life: sexuality, religion, et al. Certainly, nobody used it with regard to practical subjects. However, I was always older by the time I understood them. :)

                                Everybody is elitist to a certain extent; except me - I'm better than that. Micah

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                                • S soap brain

                                  Oakman wrote:

                                  it is amazing how much of religion there is in both economic and environmental theory these days.

                                  Did you arrive at this conclusion by reading scientific journal articles?

                                  Oakman wrote:

                                  I can remember back when science - even the soft sciences - were the natural home of skeptics and questioners.

                                  :laugh: I find it amusing that you consider yourself sufficiently involved in science to make such a comparison.

                                  R Offline
                                  R Offline
                                  Rob Graham
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  Ravel H. Joyce wrote:

                                  I find it amusing that you consider yourself sufficiently involved in science to make such a compariso

                                  When did one have to be directly involved in a particular line of endeavor in order to be an accurate and cogent observer of that endeavor? Nothing in Jon's remark suggested that he considered himself to be "involved in" science. Your observation only reveals a rather arrogant presumption about both the requirements to make such observations and your view of your own qualification in that regard. Your arrogance is neither amusing nor becoming.

                                  "People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the boot that kicks them." Eric Hoffer "The failure mode of 'clever' is 'asshole'" John Scalzi

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                                  • R Rob Graham

                                    Ravel H. Joyce wrote:

                                    I find it amusing that you consider yourself sufficiently involved in science to make such a compariso

                                    When did one have to be directly involved in a particular line of endeavor in order to be an accurate and cogent observer of that endeavor? Nothing in Jon's remark suggested that he considered himself to be "involved in" science. Your observation only reveals a rather arrogant presumption about both the requirements to make such observations and your view of your own qualification in that regard. Your arrogance is neither amusing nor becoming.

                                    "People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the boot that kicks them." Eric Hoffer "The failure mode of 'clever' is 'asshole'" John Scalzi

                                    S Offline
                                    S Offline
                                    soap brain
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    Rob Graham wrote:

                                    When did one have to be directly involved in a particular line of endeavor in order to be an accurate and cogent observer of that endeavor?

                                    Except that Oakman is neither. To criticise economics, one should at least appreciate how mathematics-heavy it is; for example, an economist must study topology. A climatologist must study atmospheric thermodynamics, which is almost mind-boggling in technicality. To suggest that all they do is hypothesise and cling to fading dreams is an insult to the generations of excellent minds that have worked so hard for these.

                                    Rob Graham wrote:

                                    Nothing in Jon's remark suggested that he considered himself to be "involved in" science.

                                    He professed to know the minds of both economists and environmental scientists, past and present. He then reflected nostalgically on a time when scientists of all spheres questioned the respective authorities.

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                                    • L Lost User

                                      Oakman wrote:

                                      You'll understand when you're older

                                      For me, as child and parent, that phrase was used to cover those things that can be explained but not fully comprehended until experienced. Appropriate to the emotional aspects of adult life: sexuality, religion, et al. Certainly, nobody used it with regard to practical subjects. However, I was always older by the time I understood them. :)

                                      Everybody is elitist to a certain extent; except me - I'm better than that. Micah

                                      O Offline
                                      O Offline
                                      Oakman
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      ict558 wrote:

                                      Certainly, nobody used it with regard to practical subjects.

                                      Sex is impractical? I did not know that.

                                      "Repensum Est Canicula"

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                                      • S soap brain

                                        Rob Graham wrote:

                                        When did one have to be directly involved in a particular line of endeavor in order to be an accurate and cogent observer of that endeavor?

                                        Except that Oakman is neither. To criticise economics, one should at least appreciate how mathematics-heavy it is; for example, an economist must study topology. A climatologist must study atmospheric thermodynamics, which is almost mind-boggling in technicality. To suggest that all they do is hypothesise and cling to fading dreams is an insult to the generations of excellent minds that have worked so hard for these.

                                        Rob Graham wrote:

                                        Nothing in Jon's remark suggested that he considered himself to be "involved in" science.

                                        He professed to know the minds of both economists and environmental scientists, past and present. He then reflected nostalgically on a time when scientists of all spheres questioned the respective authorities.

                                        O Offline
                                        O Offline
                                        Oakman
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        Ravel H. Joyce wrote:

                                        Except that Oakman is neither.

                                        More importantly to you (if not to anyone else), after repeated warnings that your behavior was unacceptable, Oakman revoked your right to post in SB1.

                                        "Repensum Est Canicula"

                                        S 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • S soap brain

                                          Rob Graham wrote:

                                          When did one have to be directly involved in a particular line of endeavor in order to be an accurate and cogent observer of that endeavor?

                                          Except that Oakman is neither. To criticise economics, one should at least appreciate how mathematics-heavy it is; for example, an economist must study topology. A climatologist must study atmospheric thermodynamics, which is almost mind-boggling in technicality. To suggest that all they do is hypothesise and cling to fading dreams is an insult to the generations of excellent minds that have worked so hard for these.

                                          Rob Graham wrote:

                                          Nothing in Jon's remark suggested that he considered himself to be "involved in" science.

                                          He professed to know the minds of both economists and environmental scientists, past and present. He then reflected nostalgically on a time when scientists of all spheres questioned the respective authorities.

                                          P Offline
                                          P Offline
                                          Pete OHanlon
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          Let. It. Go.

                                          Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads

                                          My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility

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