At left is something 19th Century Scottish author George McDonald had to say on the subject of truth and why brave and honest people feel compelled to call their most cherished beliefs into doubt.
It speaks quite broadly, but most certainly includes the scientific method. Part of the beauty of science is that it is constantly trying to undermine itself. Sure, we believe X about climate science, Y about viral pandemics, and Z about the fundamental building blocks of the universe, but we’re also persistently trying to prove these beliefs incorrect, or at best incomplete, so they can be replaced by better understanding.
In preparation for my first book, Renewable Energy–Facts and Fantasies, I recall asking V. Ramanathan of the Scripps Institute, one of the world’s most visible climate scientists, if he was aware that some people claim that he and his peers are steadfast in their positions merely because it enables them to take in more government grant money.
He laughed. “Yes, believe it or not, I have heard that. What these people don’t seem to know is that, regardless of what they may think about my character, is that I could actually become rich if I could prove that the theory of anthropogenic global warming is fundamentally flawed.”
We have to conclude that scientists in all disciplines have to content themselves with a cruel fact: that what they may believe today is under constant attack by those who want to alert us to a better understanding of the world around us, and that this indeed is a positive feature.
Until this announcement, I think anyone would have said that Gallup, Inc., founded in 1935, had a solid reputation for honesty and integrity.
Yesterday, all that vanished in the blink of an eye.
Imagine you’re one of about 2000 employees located in one of about 35 offices around the world, including New York City, London, Berlin, Sydney, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. How sickened would you be?
From “The Other 98”
Trump now wants Americans to believe that greenhouse gases don’t endanger human life, a claim that flies in the face of virtually every scientist on Earth. His administration just erased the EPA’s longstanding “endangerment finding,” the scientific and legal cornerstone that said carbon pollution warms the planet and harms human health. Without it, the EPA can no longer regulate greenhouse gases from factories, cars, or power plants, effectively stripping the federal government of its ability to combat climate change.
Trump is nothing if not predictable and consistent in his policies that fly into the teeth of science and cause grievous harm to our health.
Since science recognize vacci nations as safe and effective, why not appoint an anti-vaxxer to head up the Department of Health and Human Services?
Coal is by far the most toxic source of energy, so guess what Trump supports.
Baby boomers remember shows like Bugs Bunny and Rocky and Bullwinkle, and lament that quality television for young no longer exists.
Appreciation for shows like these require a basic level of understanding of music, art, and above all, history.
Trump Administration Dropped Controversial Climate Report From Its Decision to Rescind EPA Endangerment Finding
Gallup Disappears into Ignominy
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