Proving science bias

The Washington Times ^ | December 29, 2005 | Patrick J. Michaels

[neverdem]

The Washington Timeswww.washingtontimes.com

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Proving science bias

By Patrick J. Michaels
Published December 29, 2005

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Two recent events underscore the predictability of global warming distortion by those who gain from exaggeration. The events were the Montreal Conference of the Parties that signed the United Nations' Kyoto Protocol on global warming, and the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in San Francisco. Both took place in early December.

    The sheer volume of hype was impressive. Following are the headlines, along with sources, generated on the afternoon of Dec. 7, first from the Montreal U.N. conference. (University news sources are those eventually picked up in other stories). These were obtained from Google's news search page.

    Global warming to halt ocean circulation (University of Illinois).

    Warming trend adds to hazard of Arctic trek (Salem, Ore., News).

    Pacific islanders move to escape global warming (Reuters).

    Tuvalu: That sinking feeling (PBS).

    World weather disasters spell record losses in 2005 (Malaysia Star).

    Arctic peoples urge U.N. aid to protect cultures (Reuters).

    Threatened by warming, Arctic people sue U.S. (Agence France Presse).

    Next, from San Francisco:

    Ozone layer may take a decade longer to recover (New York Times).

    Earth is all out of new farmland (London Guardian).

    Forests could worsen global warming (UPI).

    Warming could free far more carbon from high arctic soil than earlier thought (University of Washington).

    Rain will take greater toll on reindeer, climate change model shows (University of Washington).

    Methane's effects on climate change may be twice previous estimates (NASA).

    Average temperatures climbing faster than thought in North America (Oregon State...)

[atomicpossum]

In short: Apocalypse sells. Tranquility tanks.

[My2Cents]

Scientists have their own agenda? Whodathunkit.

[Spok]

Science has, for the purpose of grant writing or political correctness, has lost its objectivity. The following 'scientific' principles are, among others, foregone conclusions:
-If it can happen to mice, it can happen to us.
-Abortions are essential to good health.
-Second hand smoke causes _________(fill in the blank).
-Conservative beliefs are caused by a faulty gene.
-Women are smarter, stronger and more ethical than men but need Title IX to compete on a level field.
-Disproportionate racial representation in any endeavor is the result of racism. Except in the NBA and NFL.

[theFIRMbss]

>Apocalypse sells. Tranquility tanks

This is news? We laughed
about it thirty years back.
The mainstream is stuck . . .

[BeAllYouCanBe]

Scientists compete with each other for finite resources, just like bankers and corporations. In this case, successful competitors are those rewarded by their universities or institutions.

Hold up here this can't be because as we already know that universities are totally objective. We have been told that scientists are objective and only work with the data -- and that data has to be reproduceable -- objectivity is the operative word here. This is a very dangerous trend we are seeing. Next thing you know they'll start attacking Evolution.

[JimSEA]

The sad part is most of those headlines either have very little to do with actual scientific inquiry or misrepresent scientific finding for notoriety.

[neverdem]

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[neverdem]

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FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.

[PGalt]

Great article. Ra^ther disturbing headlines.