Civilization (Humans)

by Carl, Saturday, November 08, 2008, 02:24 (5651 days ago) @ David Turell

David: "As for global warming, the temperature satellites in the trophosphere have dropped back several degrees in the past year or so, Alaskan glaciers are again growing, Arctic Sea ice is more extensive at the end of this summer than in past summers, Antarctic Ice is thickening, and the sun has no spots for one year which means it is in a cooling cycle. The warmest year in the 20th Century was 1931, second was 1998, and it has cooled since then. One of the problems is the fact that many 'official' temperature sites are in big cities which are 'heat islands'. The USA has the best temperature on land records going back to about 1850. But the measurements are still in the same spots as the cities grow and throw off heat. The satellites are the best guide, but only since the 1970's. We only came out of "The Little Ice Age" in the 1850's. It lasted from about 1450 till then. We have warmed since then but are 2 degrees lower than Greenland was 1,000 years ago. There were crops planted there at that time, the reason for the name. - In science until something is absolutely settled, there are two good sides to the arguments. An open mind is better than any other approach. Michael Crichton was a brilliant man with a scientific background as I pointed out purposely. I suggest you rethink your comments about him." - I have several times in my posts compared science with religion, because they are both faith based for those of use who are not knowledgeable at the leading edge of controversial topics. I cannot prove the Big Bang, elaborate on the specifics of evolution or debate the pros and cons of Global Warming at the level where decisions have to be made. I, and I daresay none of us on this site, are really qualified to do anything more than take the scientists words on what the realities are. There are anti-Global Warming voices, but they are in the minority and most suspect on motives. The vast majority of the scientific community advising at levels where decisions are made say it is real and a serious problem. I believe them on faith. If that group changes its mind, I will believe that on faith also. I am not qualified to do more.
As far as Michael Crichton, he was a brilliant medical student who went on to become a brilliant entertainer. I read and loved his first book, "Andromeda Strain", when it came out. To my knowledge, he was never a practicing scientist. His qualifications in that area are greater than mine but substantially less than those whose lives and carriers have been spent in the field. I don't have faith in him when he disagrees with the experts.