The Conversion of a Climate-Change Skeptic

**Retread** · 08-23-2012, 07:20 PM

If you are concerned about global warming (as I am) and think that human-created carbon dioxide may contribute (as I do), then you still should agree that we are much better off having broken the hockey stick. Misinformation can do real harm, because it distorts predictions. Suppose, for example, that future measurements in the years 2005-2015 show a clear and distinct global cooling trend (It could happen). If we mistakenly took the hockey stick seriously--that is, if we believed that natural fluctuations in climate are small--then we might conclude (mistakenly) that the cooling could not be just a random fluctuation on top of a long-term warming trend, since according to the hockey stick, such fluctuations are negligible. And that might lead in turn to the mistaken conclusion that global warming predictions are a lot of hooey. If, on the other hand, we reject the hockey stick, and recognize that natural fluctuations can be large, then we will not be misled by a few years of random cooling. A phony hockey stick is more dangerous than a broken one--if we know it is broken. It is our responsibility as scientists to look at the data in an unbiased way, and draw whatever conclusions follow. When we discover a mistake, we admit it, learn from it, and perhaps discover once again the value of caution.

So junkscience.com is right: Richard Muller was never a true AGW skeptic. But they go beyond that point by claiming that he is a "Climate Profiteer" profiting on AGW alarmism. Of course, this is much like calling Home Depot and Lowe's disaster profiteers because they warn people to be prepared for disasters while at the same time selling just what those same people need to prepare for (or repair) damage from disasters.

Thanks a bunch for finding this Ody - I've been hunting it since the subject arose. I knew I had Muller on the alarmist list but I could not find the evidence.

**The Night Owl** · 08-24-2012, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Odysseus

No deal. Fikes is a science writer, with a background in physics. He and I used to argue at the late Cathy Seipp's blog, and he was an ardent warmist.

I checked out Mr. Fikes's LinkedIn profile and I saw no science credentials or graduate degrees listed. So, just what do you mean when you say that Fikes has a background in physics?

**Odysseus** · 08-24-2012, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by The Night Owl

I checked out Mr. Fikes's LinkedIn profile and I saw no science credentials or graduate degrees listed. So, just what do you mean when you say that Fikes has a background in physics?

The point is moot. Muller didn't convert, he was always a warmist. OTOH, I provided over a dozen examples of warmists who became skeptics.

The fail is strong with you in this thread. You may concede defeat any time now.

**wasp69** · 08-24-2012, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by The Night Owl

I checked out Mr. Fikes's LinkedIn profile and I saw no science credentials or graduate degrees listed. So, just what do you mean when you say that Fikes has a background in physics?

Damn, just because it didn't exist on the internet, it never existed....

Do you ever stop to think about how stupid you sound? Does it bother you that no one else believes you're the smartest one in the room? The Colonel has booted your goal post moving ass all over this thread and you still keep trying to convince everyone of your superiority. Do you think it might be time to get some help for that any-attention-is-good-attention problem from which you seem to suffer?

Why in the world anyone ever lets you back in the door is beyond me. You completely destroy the value and IQ level of any forum you haunt.

**Retread** · 08-24-2012, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by wasp69

.................Do you think it might be time to get some help for that any-attention-is-good-attention problem from which you seem to suffer?

WHAM!!!!! as Marvel would say.

**Rockntractor** · 08-24-2012, 09:35 PM

He passed through later this afternoon and didn't seem to want to add anything, the window licken chicken has been fowled again!

**TVDOC** · 08-25-2012, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by wasp69

Why in the world anyone ever lets you back in the door is beyond me. You completely destroy the value and IQ level of any forum you haunt.

I take no small amount of pride in the fact that I, personally pushed the button that flushed this turd permanently at CC.....it should be noted that he wasn't thrown off for his "religous" dedication to AGW, but he was tossed because he called a serving member of the US Army a "baby killer".

He is a two-trick pony, AGW and athesim threads are the only ones that attract him.

I thought he was dead......so much for wishful thinking, at least he hasn't used realclimate.com as a reference yet in this thread. As I'm sure you know TNO, I too, have significant scientific credentials, and you won't find them on the internet. This fact doesn't make my educated opinion that AGW is the biggest scam foisted on the world in decades, any less valid.

doc

**Odysseus** · 08-26-2012, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by TVDOC

I take no small amount of pride in the fact that I, personally pushed the button that flushed this turd permanently at CC.....it should be noted that he wasn't thrown off for his "religous" dedication to AGW, but he was tossed because he called a serving member of the US Army a "baby killer".

He is a two-trick pony, AGW and athesim threads are the only ones that attract him.

I thought he was dead......so much for wishful thinking, at least he hasn't used realclimate.com as a reference yet in this thread. As I'm sure you know TNO, I too, have significant scientific credentials, and you won't find them on the internet. This fact doesn't make my educated opinion that AGW is the biggest scam foisted on the world in decades, any less valid.

doc

TNO has been blown out of the water in this thread. He will not return to it, but will lie low until he thinks that we've forgotten, and then do the same thing again.

**Retread** · 08-26-2012, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by Odysseus

TNO has been blown out of the water in this thread. He will not return to it, but will lie low until he thinks that we've forgotten, and then do the same thing again.

Standard behavior for the pseudo-alarmist (those with absolutely no scientific training) who are BELIEVERS.

**Rockntractor** · 08-26-2012, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by Retread

Standard behavior for the pseudo-alarmist (those with absolutely no scientific training) who are BELIEVERS.

A conservative lawyer needs to put together a lawsuit against the government for adopting the climate change worship into our government, nonbelievers should not be forced to support this religion with offerings being taken at the point of the gun by the IRS their tabernacle(the EPA) should be sold and its bishops, ministers and prophets should be made to seek their support from the true believers that voluntarily worship at its alters.