Friday
Jun172011
by 
Bishop Hill
Bishop Hill Quote of the day
Jun 17, 2011 Climate: Sceptics Climate: other Energy Greens Quotes [I]f the ‘deniers’ are the only ones standing up for the integrity of the scientific process, and the independence of the IPCC, then I too am a ‘denier’
Mark Lynas deals with criticism head on.
(H/T Barry Woods)
Reader Comments (59)
Robert E. Phelan
but I've never (so far) had any blowback.... but when and if it comes, I'm not likely to suffer it in silence.
There is an old saying about pilots who fly airplanes with retractable undercarriages. "There are those who landed with the gear up and those who will land with the gear up."
There are many who post here, such as myself, who have had "blowback." Some assh### took exception to something I posted in the local newspaper and took it out on my pet. Never was able to prove who did it, and it has gone "unsolved" for years now. Since then, I have used my name in opinion columns or blogs. Too many crazies out there. All you have to do is read some of the stuff put out by Greenpeace and 10/10.
Spot on, Don Pablo.
I saw the error of my ways, and stopped using my real name on the internet, over 20 years ago now. I won't go near things like 'Facebook' even with somebody else's bargepole, either.
While Al Gore may or may not be right in his assertion that "A zebra does not change its spots", always remember, that the very worst enemy of a fanatic, is a convert.
geoff chambers
Good to know that Jo Abbess, along with Joe Romm et al are relying on science rather then personal abuse, to sustain their political agenda.
Or perhaps, not
Don Pablo
Since it was my repeated question about the dishonesty implicit in the presentation of numbers in the SRREN press release that Zed dodged, I shall look forward to that.
I told her then - and I meant it - that if she failed to respond she would lose her credibility, and forfeit any right to comment on renewables or energy policy on this blog again.
Don Pablo
Gracias.
For the reasons you describe, I'd rather maintain anonymity for now. Too many crazy, self-righteous fanatics out there, capable (and justified in their warped, totalitarian minds) of seeking 'revenge'. I might come out one day (ooh, er, Captain) but until then, amigo, Gixxerboy it is.
I was a little disheartened to see BBD, Pointman and Richard Drake in a spat over the issue. No need. Just respect other people's position on the issue.
And glad to hear that Zebedee is engaged in academic studies. For a moment I thought another speeding transgression had attracted the forceful attention of the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary/HMP. Seriously, though, it surely speaks volumes that Zed is refusing to engage the enemy on this. I actually respect Zed's continued interest and involvement on his Grace's blog. A glimmer of an open mind? Sorry, I know that'll have BBD choking on his cornflakes but maybe we underestimate Zed. Why else come here?
Maybe he'll have a Lynas moment on the A303 to Damascus. At 93mph.
Gixxerboy
The reason I bit down on RD is that he is claiming that 'certain types' of comment 'should not be made' by anonymous posters. That is not acceptable, and the consequent exchanges I have had with him are not a 'spat'. This is about as serious as it gets.
I'm surprised that you did not perceive this, but I'm sure than now you understand what has happened you will pay very close attention to any further comments from RD on this subject.
Oh, and I enjoy talking to Zed - I even set up a Discussion thread to do just that - but there are limits and she has now reached them.
@geoff "one infallible authority." ... hardly, it has hundreds of authors
infallible
By “one infallible authority” (Jun 17, 2011 at 7:36 PM) on which activists like Lynas and Monbiot have bet the farm I meant of course “the Science”, or the scientific consensus. You only have to spell out the concept to appreciate its absurdity. Yet Monbiot is on record as saying that it doesn’t matter if Jones &co cut some corners, or if one or two papers are dodgy, because there are still tens of thousands of papers which say the same thing (i.e. - we’re doomed). And Lynas’s below the line comments on his latest article suggest that he has the same fantasy view of scientific truth.
It’s science viewed as a sort of dragon’s hoard or Ali Baba’s cavern, brimful of consensual wonders. But there’s no magic lamp or One Ring in science (or anywhere else, come to that).