Posted by G at 9:19am Dec 4 '09Earlier I happened to be browsing through my movie selection, when I came across Jurassic Park, a real classic. It reminded me of some of Crichton's other works, and since the topic has come up here lately, I'd like to share a speech (never seen it posted here, may have been though) he gave six years ago on the topic of the thinning line between science and politics, which, coupled with his 2004 book State of Fear, he caught a lot of heat over (including from Al Gore).
Since we've had a few threads on climate change, I find the article to be extremely relevant, and equally interesting. To say the least, regardless of your opinion on the matter, he was an extremely bright and articulate man.
My personal favorite bit:
"I want to pause here and talk about this notion of consensus, and the rise of what has been called consensus science. I regard consensus science as an extremely pernicious development that ought to be stopped cold in its tracks. Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. Whenever you hear the consensus of scientists agrees on something or other, reach for your wallet, because you're being had. . . Finally, 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. . .'
Since we've had a few threads on climate change, I find the article to be extremely relevant, and equally interesting. To say the least, regardless of your opinion on the matter, he was an extremely bright and articulate man.
My personal favorite bit:
"I want to pause here and talk about this notion of consensus, and the rise of what has been called consensus science. I regard consensus science as an extremely pernicious development that ought to be stopped cold in its tracks. Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. Whenever you hear the consensus of scientists agrees on something or other, reach for your wallet, because you're being had. . . Finally, 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. . .'
Aliens Cause Global Warming - G