It’s 1991, I am flying home from Germany, sitting next to a man who is almost in tears, he is so upset. He’s a physician involved in an FDA study of a new drug. It’s a double-blind study involving four separate teamsone . . . Continue reading →
climate change
Earth Day Irony
On The Most Generous Interpretation, It Still Looks Bad
The University of East Anglia’s official report about the leaked e-mails concluded that “opposing interpretations can be obtained from the same statement.” But even if we give those involved the benefit of the doubt — presuming that “trick” and “hide the decline” . . . Continue reading →
Science Versus Groupthink
It’s become clear to me that it is not possible to undertake independent research in any area that touches upon climate change if you have to make your living as a professional scientist on government grant money or have to rely on . . . Continue reading →
Settled Science In 1972
How Science Should Operate
Science is not about “consensus” but facts. Not only were some physicists not initially convinced by Einstein’s theory of relativity, Einstein himself said that it should not be accepted until empirical evidence could test it. That test came during an eclipse, when . . . Continue reading →
Some Perspective On Fads In Science
This is commencement season and, in recent years, it has meant a series of earnest speeches by social, cultural, and political leaders about the danger of global warming or climate change. These speeches are one part hectoring and one part shaming of . . . Continue reading →
Walter Cronkite In 1972: Coming Ice Age!
Whence The Claim That 97% Of Climate Scientists Support Global Warming
This claim is actually a come-down from the 1988 claim on the cover of Newsweek that all scientists agree. In either case, the claim is meant to satisfy the non-expert that he or she has no need to understand the science. Mere . . . Continue reading →