... see also: 'Aliens Cause Global Warming'.
I would remind you to notice where the claim of consensus is invoked. Consensus is invoked only in situations where the science is not solid enough. Nobody says the consensus of scientists agrees that E=mc2. Nobody says the consensus is that the sun is 93 million miles away. It would never occur to anyone to speak that way. . . .It's also worth remembering that at the time of Galileo the consensus among scientists favored the Tychonic model of the solar system, and that the scientific consensus opposed Ignaz Semmelweis's advocacy of antiseptic procedures.
I haven't read these links but honestly! Crichton a champion of good science? Not!
ReplyDeleteGlobal warming as a conspiracy of environmentalists, with the "qualification" being that he's a medical doctor?
He could write a good novel, many think, but should not be confused with scientific ability or accuracy. Plenty of discussion on Nature blogs about this, and in news stories in the past.
The quote from Mr. Crichton in the Crichton's Wisdom link is a good one and lays out a reasonable philosophy. Unfortunately, Mr. C. did not always follow this path himself - he became a strong advocate for certain fixed positions and would pass along his "facts" about them with great authority - as in the earlier post on DDT.
ReplyDeleteCrichton did show that fiction can combine entertainment with a learning experience about science and technology. Sadly, (and as an embittered Crichton wannabe myself), I have a strong suspicion this approach remains a radical concept among many of those in the mainstream fiction publishing community. Real science and technology is not considered much of a topic.
Mr. C also showed that a fictional presentation of science can become integrated into many reader's minds as "fact". This is good and bad, of course. I'll give him credit for being willing to defend some of the ideas his books engendered, rather than falling back on saying "it's just a good story." Unfortunately, the cartoon portrayal of science/technology in entertainment is so widespread that often the wider public is left with an impression that science is just people in white lab coats either routinely trying to destroy the planet or making brilliant discoveries that will solve all problems (or at least catch all murderers). Hopefully, even the late Mr. C would have agreed that's not a good or valid impression.
Well, I think the question to be addressed is the one raised in the quote I featured: Is science a matter of consensus or not? The historical record, as I indicated, is that the consensus among scientists has sometimes proved wrong. And it seems to this non-scientist that science is supposed to be about evidence and demonstration, not a show of hands. Looking at this site I simply cannoy see how a rational person can conclude other than that there is much room for disagreement regarding the direction the climate may be taking or the reasons behind that.
ReplyDelete