Musings from the treetop

January 2024

No one can refute the idea of “climate change.” Throughout the history of Earth, climate has never been stable. The planet is always getting either warmer or colder. The question of whether human behavior has resulted in catastrophic effects to the environment is another story. There are far too many imponderables to take the premise from theory to fact. For example, the actual magnitude of factors such as cloud cover, permafrost thawing, volcanic eruptions, oceanic circulation patterns and sun spot activity can neither be accurately predicted or calculated. And, how do computer models factor in the inevitable, but unforeseeable, advancements in future technology? Any notions that claims immunity from evidence is not a product of science. It is religion. And, simply becoming the consensus of those receiving government grants to produce such findings is called politics. ……

When speaking about vehicles, folks talk as if electricity and fossil fuel are both energy sources. But, electricity is not an energy source. It is only a method of transferring energy. The energy source of electricity is primarily coal or fossil fuel, sometimes solar or wind. In reality, building electric cars creates more greenhouse-gas emissions than producing an equivalent gas-powered vehicle. …….. Those promoting climate change as both manmade and posing an existential threat deploy computer models to support their policies, while their critics base their opposition on history and the logic derived from it. What if the premise of manmade climate change simply opens the door for government to transfer more power, wealth and control from individuals to our big spending politicians, in the name of pursuing a public good? You have to agree, computer models are far easier to manipulate than history. ………… Remember, “scientific” computer models were used to guide our COVID policies, such as how best to minimize the spread. Our overlords claimed they indicated tyrannical lockdowns, which we now know to have had negligible effect on the problem. Government used the policy produced to override our Constitutional rights to assemble, practice religion and speak freely. We should all be able to agree that 21st century fortune telling by computer model has proven no more valuable than the traditional ruse of gypsies. As much as we might wish it were possible, no one can predict the future. Only self-serving charlatans argue otherwise. ……….. The notion of government acting in the public good has long been promoted by socialists. However, those on the right and those and left have diametrically opposing theories on what constitutes “public good.” At the heart of the problem is the poignant observation of Ayn Rand: Societies can’t think. There is no collective mind. Only individuals can think. ………. Politicians lie about solving monumental problems all of the time. Don’t be fooled. The truth is, voters are easily frightened and are always seeking the impossible and only politicians will promise it.

🎯 SHORT: Carl Sagan - Science and Skepticism