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MIT scientist Richard Lindzen with best summary of Fear Science ever
Posted on 1/7/14 at 2:27 pm
Posted on 1/7/14 at 2:27 pm
quote:
If Lindzen is right about this and global warming is nothing to worry about, why do so many climate scientists, many with résumés just as impressive as his, preach imminent doom? He says it mostly comes down to the money—to the incentive structure of academic research funded by government grants. Almost all funding for climate research comes from the government, which, he says, makes scientists essentially vassals of the state. And generating fear, Lindzen contends, is now the best way to ensure that policymakers keep the spigot open.
Lindzen contrasts this with the immediate aftermath of World War II, when American science was at something of a peak. “Science had established its relevance with the A-bomb, with radar, for that matter the proximity fuse,” he notes. Americans and their political leadership were profoundly grateful to the science community; scientists, unlike today, didn’t have to abase themselves by approaching the government hat in hand. Science funding was all but assured.
But with the cuts to basic science funding that occurred around the time of the Vietnam war, taxpayer support for research was no longer a political no-brainer. “It was recognized that gratitude only went so far,” Lindzen says, “and fear was going to be a much greater motivator. And so that’s when people began thinking about ... how to perpetuate fear that would motivate the support of science.”
Great article
This post was edited on 1/7/14 at 2:29 pm
10
Posted on 1/7/14 at 2:37 pm to CAD703X
good read.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 2:43 pm to CAD703X
I'll read it in time, C...thanks.
BTW, just heard Hannity talking to Joe Bistardi, who pointed out the POWER OUTAGES...and implied that such MIGHT relate to Obama's war on Electricity.
Will and investigation be warranted? Does the public have a right to know just where the Prog Energy policy might go?
Hell, we gave up on the BCS DirectTV satellite, as the thing kept resetting. Hooked up a generator direct to the receiver to watch the game. I can imagine the cursing that was levied toward the energy suppliers, and that will be...IF the Obama policy was complicit in the shortages/outages.
BTW, just heard Hannity talking to Joe Bistardi, who pointed out the POWER OUTAGES...and implied that such MIGHT relate to Obama's war on Electricity.
Will and investigation be warranted? Does the public have a right to know just where the Prog Energy policy might go? Hell, we gave up on the BCS DirectTV satellite, as the thing kept resetting. Hooked up a generator direct to the receiver to watch the game. I can imagine the cursing that was levied toward the energy suppliers, and that will be...IF the Obama policy was complicit in the shortages/outages.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 2:47 pm to RCDfan1950
quote:
BTW, just heard Hannity talking to Joe Bistardi, who pointed out the POWER OUTAGES...and implied that such MIGHT relate to Obama's war on Electricity. Will and investigation be warranted? Does the public have a right to know just where the Prog Energy policy might go? Hell, we gave up on the BCS DirectTV satellite, as the thing kept resetting. Hooked up a generator direct to the receiver to watch the game. I can imagine the cursing that was levied toward the energy suppliers, and that will be...IF the Obama policy was complicit in the shortages/outages.
Bastardi is appropriately named, but this does raise an interesting question.
Let us suppose that the Obama/Progressive dream had been realized and that this same "polar vortex" had descended on a USA that had its primary "grid" power supply from solar and wind. Just imagine how fricked everyone would be since the widespread cloud cover would have fricked solar and wind turbines are supposed to lock down (i.e., not rotate/generate electricity) in high winds.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 2:48 pm to CAD703X
quote:
Lindzen
Damn. Been good knowing ya.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 3:06 pm to CAD703X
quote:
He says it mostly comes down to the money—to the incentive structure of academic research funded by government grants
Quick question as I am ignorant on this subject.
How do grants work when it comes to research? Do the researchers get the money in one lump sum and can do with it as they please? Are they allowed to spend grant money on themselves as if it were their salary? Is there oversight/accountability as to how the money is spent?
This post was edited on 1/7/14 at 3:07 pm
Posted on 1/7/14 at 3:21 pm to UGATiger26
quote:
Quick question as I am ignorant on this subject. How do grants work when it comes to research? Do the researchers get the money in one lump sum and can do with it as they please? Are they allowed to spend grant money on themselves as if it were their salary? Is there oversight/accountability as to how the money is spent?
I have limited experience, and based on that, researchers are usually affiliated with some type of institution such as a university, the grant money will be released to the institution which manages the money. If it is a multi-year grant it might be paid in installments, and verifiable milestones may need to meet to continue the funding. The institution usually budgets salary for researchers from the grant, but someone hauling in major grant money can expect it to be reflected in their salary.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 3:28 pm to UGATiger26
quote:
Do the researchers get the money in one lump sum and can do with it as they please?
This varies greatly depending on the type of grant, but usually grant proposals are very specific about how the money will be spent. There are always rules about what the money can be spent on. Also, the rules pertaining to grants are currently undergoing change due to recent legislation that will likely make lump sums more common.
quote:
Are they allowed to spend grant money on themselves as if it were their salary?
Yes, this is usually written in. A major college professor may take half of his income from grants.
quote:
Is there oversight/accountability as to how the money is spent?
I think the oversight is actually pretty good at this point in time simply because the competition for funds is so high.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 3:32 pm to TK421
quote:
Yes, this is usually written in. A major college professor may take half of his income from grants.
Gotcha. So essentially being awarded a grant is like an enterprise salesperson closing a big contract and getting a commission on the sale?
Posted on 1/7/14 at 3:37 pm to UGATiger26
quote:
So essentially being awarded a grant is like an enterprise salesperson closing a big contract and getting a commission on the sale?
Kinda, though the comparison is more valid when you consider how much money the University takes. LSU, for instance, takes around (I could be wrong here) 40% of grant funds for "overhead". Thus, it is in the institution's best interest to keep scientists employed that are more likely to receive government grants.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 3:46 pm to CAD703X
quote:
Almost all funding for climate research comes from the government, which, he says, makes scientists essentially vassals of the state.
Well I guess if he says it, it must be true.
Damn.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 3:49 pm to SpidermanTUba
quote:Link to refute his claim?
Well I guess if he says it, it must be true.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 3:50 pm to SpidermanTUba
quote:You seem to be 'vassalating'.quote:Well I guess if he says it, it must be true.
Almost all funding for climate research comes from the government, which, he says, makes scientists essentially vassals of the state.
Damn.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 3:58 pm to Jbird
quote:
Link to refute his claim?
What for? He made a claim. That means its true.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 3:59 pm to SpidermanTUba
So do you believe him or are you still bouncing back and forth?
Posted on 1/7/14 at 4:00 pm to Jbird
quote:
So do you believe him or are you still bouncing back and forth?
Jbird, of course I do. You like what he has to say, don't you? So let's believe him!
Posted on 1/7/14 at 4:07 pm to SpidermanTUba
quote:
Jbird, of course I do. You like what he has to say, don't you? So let's believe him!
glad you've finally come to your senses, tuba.
quote:
But whatever buried ideological component there may be to any given scientist’s work, it doesn’t tell us who has the science right. In a 2012 public letter, Lindzen noted, “Critics accuse me of doing a disservice to the scientific method. I would suggest that in questioning the views of the critics and subjecting them to specific tests, I am holding to the scientific method.” Whoever is right about computer models, climate sensitivity, aerosols, and water vapor, Lindzen is certainly right about that. Skepticism is essential to science.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 4:11 pm to SpidermanTUba
Come on man; this is an embarrassingly low level argument, even for you. You know with 100% certainty that if you posted a pro global warming article and someone's only response was "if they claim it, surely it must be true" with the obvious heavy handed sarcasm that you are employing, you would immediately dismiss that individual as a close-minded, loony fool.
That said, I'd like to hear an actual refutation to this article if you have one.
That said, I'd like to hear an actual refutation to this article if you have one.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 4:24 pm to funnystuff
quote:
That said, I'd like to hear an actual refutation to this article if you have one.
He doesn't. He would be quick to point out the inherent bias behind a Petroleum Institute Study, without ever debating the merits of it. All Lindzen is saying is that government funds climate research - therefore, it can be inferred that if the climate research did not support the government's position, such funding would be discontinued.
Skepticism is REQUIRED of science - I'm skeptical of everything.
Posted on 1/7/14 at 4:55 pm to CAD703X
It is no coincidence that the same people who worry about climate change want massive government control of businesses and the economy.
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