Over the very short period of time that I’ve been wandering the WordPress halls, it’s been a source of surprise to see so much activity along the lines of climate change denial. The short duration probably does not offer a representative sample, but still, wow–it seems that folks do protest too much.
The lion’s share of it is bluster. Most of what I’ve seen would otherwise be laughable, if removed completely from context. It’s still a reasonably free country though, and I’ll support the right of an individual to toss up their two cents, even if in so doing they reveal themselves as incapable of recognizing the scientific method even if it bit ‘em on the ass.
Some of it, however, a minority, is solidly reasoned, presented by people who are obviously technically literate and trained. It’s my opinion that they’re misguided and myopic, but no matter there, either.
For no good reason, I offer a decidedly non-technical, hypothetical situation for consideration. The analogy is imperfect, but it should serve to illustrate how I have come to view the matter of climate change.
So. For the sake of argument, let’s say:
You’re on your way home after errands or work or what have you. If you don’t live alone, assume that you expect that no one you live with will be there to greet you upon arrival, as they all have places to go, things to do, people to see, etc.
As you fumble for your keys and approach your house–you’re just a few feet away from your front door at this point–you look up, and see that something is amiss. A window is smashed out. And you can hear some indeterminate sounds of commotion coming from inside.
What do you do?
Now, it’s plausible that:
The cable guy had to check your service connection, lost grip of a ladder, and in so doing took your window out accidentally. Cell phone reception was inexplicably crappy at the time, so cable guy was unable to call out for backup. Not having assistance, a replacement window, or even a plywood panel as a temporary fix, he took off to the nearest hardware store to get supplies to fix the problem and call in to his dispatcher.
And while he was away, a large bird flew into the opening. Having injured a wing on a shard of glass, it found itself unable to escape and terrified as it made an awful mess of your magazine rack.
Plausible, yes?
So, again, what do you do? Do you stake your claim on a plausible explanation that you find soothing, regardless of how likely it is? Or do you perhaps take a moment and reflect upon what you do know?
Again: you’re not expecting anyone else to be there, you don’t know exactly what the cause is or what the resolution will be, but something is clearly wrong in the place you call home.
Do you walk in the front door undaunted, assuming the best? Or do you consider taking a different and possibly more cautious course of action?
[ note from hn:
crossposted from my humble quarter over at wordpress, hence the reference in the opening. it's a global warming denial and puma fest over there, i tells you.]