Dr. Judith Curry on the PBS debacle

Centering this show on the faux conversion of Richard Muller set this story down a certain path that turned out to be unfortunate.

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IMO, Watts handled himself very well in the on-air interview and also in the extended written interview. Nothing that he said was unreasonable. It is rather bizarre that on this particular show, I came across as the ‘denier’ and Watts as the ‘lukewarmer.’

The outrage over Watts seems to be not so much what he said, as over his being given any airtime at all. On a program discussing climate science, is Watts the appropriate spokesperson? I would say not. However, on a program discussing the public debate over climate science, Watts should be front and center. His blog WUWT has far and away the largest traffic of any climate blog in the world (as per Alexa). As such, Watts is a figure of central importance in the public debate on climate change.

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Thank you, Dr. Curry. Read the entire essay on her blog.

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David A. Evans

September 24, 2012 11:10 am

If I remember correctly, Freeman Dyson does not have a PhD and may not even have got a BSc, though that last I am probably wrong. Even so, he’s a full professor because he’s just bloody brilliant.
I’m sure someone will correct any errors I’ve made.
DaveE.

Brian H

September 24, 2012 1:47 pm

Jim Clarke says:
September 22, 2012 at 8:26 am
“On a program discussing climate science, is Watts the appropriate spokesperson? I would say not.”
I totally, 100% disagree. I believe that people as educated on the subject as Anthony Watts are actually more qualified than ‘climate scientists’, whoever they are. What does it take to be a climate scientist? Well, you have to live in the make-believe world of academia or government, where science is secondary to ones ability to garner grant money. That is the real job of the modern day, climate scientist. On campus, they don’t say “science or perish”, they say “publish or perish”. It doesn’t have to be good science. It just has to be published science that adds to the prestige or notoriety of the scientist and university.
Consequently, the university scientist lives in a strange environment where they study reality through the lens of grant acquisition.

For a cutting insider look at this world, go thru the annals of ‘Piled Higher and Deeper’. It will only take at most a day of your time! 🙂

Allen

September 24, 2012 8:38 pm

And just who are the deniers in this public debate over the politics of climate change?

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