RealClimate takes on Michael Crichton
Commentary on Michael Crichton's "State of Fear" book by climate scientists. It's always particularly interesting to me when someone who does a job daily weighs in on that subject. The New Yorker just finished running a three part series on the state of the environment, and when I'm done with it, I'm sure I'll have some nonsense to spew. But the authors of the above talk about this stuff because they actually write the papers. What always confuses me is when someone comes along and says "I don't know the science" when you try and make a point. Doesn't that mean you basically have no idea what's going on, and have no business talking about the subject?
Anyhow, I'm also particularly surprised that so many people are up in arms about Crichton's book. I mean the guy is a fiction writer; he is paid to make things up for a living. He did opened himself up with the points at the end where he tried to claim some of his stuff was fact. I love debunking pieces like the one I linked to, regardless of which side is doing the debunking. I just wish they revolved faster. Or better yet, put the people in a room and let them go back and forth until we understand EXACTLY where people do not agree. Then you know what you need to decide on in order to make your decision on the whole issue.