So, today I'm teaching Science and Agri-Science at a local high school. The lesson plan calls for us to watch, then discuss Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth". After reading Michael Crichton's "State of Fear" - possibly the most extensively researched and footnoted novel you'll ever find - I'm keen to ask a few questions about "truths" that we all accept, things that "they" have proven to the point where we really shouldn't have to even think about it any more, just accept what "they" tell us.
I'm not saying Global Warming is an invention by fear-mongers. I am saying nobody was ever hurt by having someone say "Excuse me, but if the net effect of the Kyoto Agreement - if fully implemented by all nations - is to reduce global warming by between 4/100ths (commonly accepted) and 15/100ths (optimistic) of ONE degree by the year 2100* ... then is the sky really falling?"
If nothing else, it should be a fun discussion - especially the part where they say "Huh? 4/100ths of one degree in one hundred years? That can't be right ...".
And maybe it's not. Maybe there's new science.** Just saying "Ask questions." There are people who make a lot of money and retain a lot of power by keeping us all just a little bit scared. "They" tell us it's all been proven, no need to ask any more questions, run along and don't trouble your little head with independent research, just do what "they" say, including "Vote for Us".
As I get older, I learn that everybody has an angle. And the people who tell you what's good for you - and the planet - aren't exceptions.
* Nature, October 2003, 395 - 741
** Update: In fact, a review of some credible websites has called into serious question Crichton's research. Seems he's as guilty of manipulating science for his own purposes as anybody.
That doesn't, however, negate my main contention - which is that science - even broadly, universally accepted science - is not worthy of the name unless it can not only stand up to but in fact actively encourages questions and challenges.
Global warming is almost certainly a serious concern. How serious the threat it poses is certainly more a matter of educated guesswork, informed prediction, and outright speculation than a matter of "fact" - which is how it is treated.
All that said ... let's recycle, kids.
I love this post, Nils.
How you feeling today??
Posted by: shari | February 07, 2007 at 11:42 AM
Always good to challenge something with a question.
Posted by: twisteduterus | February 07, 2007 at 06:59 PM
asking the right questions can get the fear mongering started too..."what if's" are always fun!
Posted by: Effie | February 07, 2007 at 07:10 PM
I would totally have a crush on the teacher.
Posted by: kalki | February 07, 2007 at 11:43 PM
Is it hot in here or is it just me? Global Warming....or just the notion of having Nils at the chalkboard and writing my name up there for being "bad".
Posted by: wordgirl | February 08, 2007 at 12:01 AM
Wordgirl and Kalki are such brown nosers. I bet they even volunterr to clap Mr. Nilbo's erasers after class.
Posted by: William | February 08, 2007 at 09:13 AM
William, I think you're a disruptive influence. Spend the rest of class out in the hall. Wordgirl and Kalki ... I'd like you two to stay behind and help me with a special project ...
Posted by: Nils Ling | February 08, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Nils, you rock! I love this post.
Questions are definitely healthy for true science - make those young 'uns think for a change!
Posted by: John Tilton | February 08, 2007 at 01:14 PM
And I saw William shooting spitwads at the back of Wordgirl's head.
Posted by: John Tilton | February 08, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Sorry I'm late Mr. Ling...
What did I miss?
Posted by: CircusKelli | February 08, 2007 at 01:21 PM
Late? Well, that's a detention. Oh ... and nice outfit.
Posted by: Nils Ling | February 08, 2007 at 02:39 PM
winter didnt kick in until Feb here - if this is global warming, i might just be ok with it. (joke, people) i'm happy that recycling seems to be pretty active around here compared to when I was growing up.
Posted by: whfropera | February 08, 2007 at 05:05 PM
Even if everything that's said about global warming isn't 100% accurate we still need to be nice to our Mother Earth.
Posted by: Squirl | February 08, 2007 at 09:36 PM
Good post, Sir! Very thought provoking... I will see if Stumpy has an opinion although I think that all they are taught is that global warming is happening, it is down to us and we can only slow it down by reducing CO2 emissions... My opinion is that we need to do *something* so I'll carry on recycling and forcing people at gunpoint to turn their PC monitors off at night when they leave work...
Posted by: platypus | February 09, 2007 at 08:24 AM
You like the outfit? I heard there was some skeevy old guy teaching class and I wanted to get a "A"...
Posted by: CircusKelli | February 09, 2007 at 09:40 AM
You had an "A" right up till you called me a skeevy old guy. Now you'll have to earn it the old-fashioned way.
Today I'm teaching Math. You cannot imagine how much this amuses me.
Posted by: Nils Ling | February 09, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Not amused by the math. Amused by the fact they've asked me to teach it. If they only knew.
Posted by: Nils Ling | February 09, 2007 at 10:52 AM
I didn't CALL YOU a skeevy old guy... I said I heard someone else call you a skeevy old guy... it's all symantecs. You should know that, you're a writer. ;)
Math? Anything above basic math, and I'm pretty much lost. Waaaaaaay back in high school, I got a B in (basic) Algebra and then a C in Geometry. I stopped there. I'm hoping my children get their math smarts from Hubby. He's got some mad Trig skills.
Posted by: CircusKelli | February 09, 2007 at 01:10 PM
Math, eh? Well, have fun with that. Our daughter is taking grade 9 algebra in 7th grade, and I "help" her with her homework -- by which I mean I stare blankly at her assignment while she puzzles out how to do it, but she says it helps having me there to talk it out. **shrugs** OK, whatever. But if you were her math teacher, I'm certain I'd start going to class with her.
Posted by: shari | February 09, 2007 at 05:25 PM
Regardless of the rate of global warmning, I don't think we can deny that it exists. I recommend you rent the movie "Who killed the electric car?" if you haven't seen it. I am far less concerned with the exactness of scientific predictions than the fact that something very real is being swept under the carpet by big business interests who control lawmakers. In the U.S., anyway. Which is also probably why the Kyoto agreement sounds so ridiculous. Of course the amounts they are proposing are absurb, and would make you wonder if the sky is really falling. The problem is that no one is proposing the amounts of reduction we really NEED to make in order to preserve the environment. Hmmmm.... could this be Big Business interfering again? Is the Pope German? Does the sun set in the west? The sky may not be falling, but I think it's high time Chicken Little got his ass moving.
Recycle? I wish the U.S. would take it as seriously as the rest of the world has for the last 20 years. I bet Canada is WAY ahead of us. Bless you for bringing up the subject.
Posted by: Ortizzle | February 10, 2007 at 05:12 PM
when are you going to update this blog, Mr. Ling? Are you writing a book or something? ;)
Posted by: anonymous in florida | February 14, 2007 at 10:40 AM
I agree with the very wise Anonymous in Florida. Come on, post something new! :)
Posted by: platypus | February 14, 2007 at 10:51 AM
Happy Valentine's Day, Nilbo! I suppose I could just as easily have wished you a happy Wednesday, but it just doesn't call for chocolate in the same way.
Posted by: shari | February 14, 2007 at 12:50 PM
Happy Valentine's Day, Nilbo!
(that's code for update the damn blog already!)
Posted by: CircusKelli | February 14, 2007 at 01:19 PM