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The complexities of global warming.... solved by a teenager with braces. (pg. 16)
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| pkcRAISTLIN |
| quote: | Originally posted by Arbiter
Denial would require more knowledge than I can attest to. The limitations within which climate research takes place require a healthy dose of skepticism. However, that does not mean that it cannot produce persuasive evidence. Indeed, I would say that it has produced persuasive--even compelling--evidence as to the question of the existence of climate change as a phenomenon and the general role of human activity in bringing it about. |
Oh ok. it’s just the last post from you I remember on the topic doubted that returning CO2 from whence it came was much of a problem. I inferred from that post that you doubted the relationship between green house gases and their role in trapping solar radiation in the atmosphere, a process that, as far as I am aware, is well understood and predicted by the laws of physics (I wouldn’t know, I am merely parroting).
| quote: | Originally posted by Arbiter
But that proposition, which is the subject of such intense focus, is relatively meaningless standing on its own. Without more, it provides us with no information about how we ought to respond to the phenomenon, assuming that it is occurring. |
Doesn’t it suggest that reducing CO2 emissions is the first place to start? Obviously it doesn’t suggest how to reduce said emissions, but I’m not sure that’s particularly relevant, as we know which ones are currently available to us.
| quote: | Originally posted by Arbiter
In order to make an informed decision, we would want to know whether, in fact, we can realistically prevent climate change, and, if so, what it would require for us to do so. Alternately, we may be able to affect the magnitude of its effects or the rate at which they occur; here, too, we would want to know precisely what present actions would produce precisely what future effect.
Even that would be insufficient, however. Unless we also know to precisely what climate to which we are changing and precisely how the change will proceed, it's impossible to evaluate the costs and benefits associated with the different possible climates that our present choices could produce over time. |
But this practically ensures no effort to make decisions at all, because absent another earth to experiment on, the kind of precision you believe is required is simply impossible. It’s basically “this problem is too hard, let’s throw our hands up and give up”. Not that I am advocating extreme reforms or anything, I really don’t care because it won’t be much of a problem for me. But simply as an analytical position, it doesn’t seem to serve much utility other than to support the status quo, when you even admit that it could be a problem.
| quote: | Originally posted by Arbiter
Much is made of the "scientific consensus" that climate change exists and that humanity is playing a substantial role in it. But without a similar consensus as to all of these critical ancillary questions, consensus as to those general propositions of climate change is completely and utterly meaningless. And, indeed, there is no consensus and only meager evidence with respect to the details. |
Do you mean there is no consensus on the ancillary questions and only meagre evidence with respect to the details? Or are you referring to the scientific consensus here?
| quote: | Originally posted by Arbiter
So, speculate I have, and the tentative conclusions that I have reached are that (1) efforts to prevent climate change are futile and wasteful; and (2) furthermore, they would be undesirable even if they might succeed because the climate we would likely be moving towards is on balance superior to the Earth's current climate; but (3) the rate of change is probably far faster than would be optimal, so it would be a good idea to try to slow the process, provided that the cost of doing so is not excessive; but (4) the prospects for achieving a significant rate reduction in a cost-effective manner are generally poor, barring a fortuitous technological advancement that substantially reduces our reliance on fossil fuels. |
I don’t see how you can hold 2 and 3 simultaneously. The very fact that things are arguably moving too fast, (specifically for the adaptation of species and various eco-systems) suggests that for a fairly significant transitory period, the climate would be significantly inferior to a warmer climate achieved via natural processes. Number 4 is a no-brainer.
| quote: | Originally posted by Domesticated
You're very good at shrouding simplistic positions with torrents of cleverly-written bull. |
but isn't it just a pleasure to read? :gsmile: |
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| Meat187 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Domesticated
You're very good at shrouding simplistic positions with torrents of cleverly-written bull. |
Did Halcyon post in this thread? |
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| Halcyon+On+On |
| Hey everyone, Meat is a Philistine! Did he tell you this already? Ok, just making sure you all knew! Wouldn't want you to continue reading all of his awesome posts without knowing that! Thanks for your time! |
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| Lira |
| A-ha, I bloody knew it: Meat doesn't live in Munich, he lives in Manila! |
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| Domesticated |
| When did you become a father, Lira? |
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| Halcyon+On+On |
| Actually, being German, he just backs any old state that will so vehemently oppose the Jews! |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by Domesticated
When did you become a father, Lira? |
Her name was Lola, and I met her in Copacabana, and she was a showgirl. With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there, she was just fifteen years old, and had blond hair and blue eyes. One night, she and her friends decided they were gonna come to Brasilia.
"My parents are away and I'll take their car", she said. Sure, Copacabana is 12 hours away from Brasília by car but it did not intimidate her. While she tried to be a star, and was on her way to Brasília, Tony - her boyfriend - always tended bar. Across a crowded floor, they worked from 8 till 4, they were young and they had each other, who could ask for more?
She and her friends drove along the BR-040 and came to a club in Brasília. They knew the guy at the door and got in. Then she turned around and bumped into me. We had a good time, we danced for hours and hours, and she had a few drinks too!
"Hey", I said, "My room mate is not home and well, I was wondering if you wanna, you know... come to my place. I just don't wanna... I don't wanna be alone". And she said...
"Yes!"
We got into a taxi and went to the UnB dorm rooms, went upstairs and sat on my bed. "Take this pill", I said. And she took it! And then she said - "What did you just give me?". "An aspirin", I said, "didn't you say your head hurt?". And she said...
"Yes! OMG, can you be my daddy?"
And I said...
"Yes!"
That's when I became a father. Don't worry, Tony didn't mind, Scotty doesn't know, and the government doesn't seem to have a trouble with a 15-year-old showgirl making an interstate trip. Gotta love my country! |
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| Joss Weatherby |
| That chick was hot. Braces cause global warming. :D |
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| VDub |
| quote: | Originally posted by Zyklon_Jay
The same place your music comes from...the sewer. |
Pot, meet kettle...
Ese.... |
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| Joss Weatherby |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lira
Her name was Lola, and I met her in Copacabana, and she was a showgirl. With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there, she was just fifteen years old, and had blond hair and blue eyes. One night, she and her friends decided they were gonna come to Brasilia.
"My parents are away and I'll take their car", she said. Sure, Copacabana is 12 hours away from Brasília by car but it did not intimidate her. While she tried to be a star, and was on her way to Brasília, Tony - her boyfriend - always tended bar. Across a crowded floor, they worked from 8 till 4, they were young and they had each other, who could ask for more?
She and her friends drove along the BR-040 and came to a club in Brasília. They knew the guy at the door and got in. Then she turned around and bumped into me. We had a good time, we danced for hours and hours, and she had a few drinks too!
"Hey", I said, "My room mate is not home and well, I was wondering if you wanna, you know... come to my place. I just don't wanna... I don't wanna be alone". And she said...
"Yes!"
We got into a taxi and went to the UnB dorm rooms, went upstairs and sat on my bed. "Take this pill", I said. And she took it! And then she said - "What did you just give me?". "An aspirin", I said, "didn't you say your head hurt?". And she said...
"Yes! OMG, can you be my daddy?"
And I said...
"Yes!"
That's when I became a father. Don't worry, Tony didn't mind, Scotty doesn't know, and the government doesn't seem to have a trouble with a 15-year-old showgirl making an interstate trip. Gotta love my country! |
you wish that was true |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by Joss Weatherby
you wish that was true |
Of course I wish - three pop culture references in a single night!? That's no easy feat! |
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| igottaknow |
| did you say feet? :p |
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