Al Gore win Nobel Peace Prize

[swede]

We're all supposed to concede that the granting of this award now legitimizes the "we're causing global warming" movement.

that movement is not wanting for legitimacy, other than in some increasingly isolated circles.

the political consensus to actually do something about the problem is not there, probably won't be there for years or decades. This Noble [sic] prize is a modest political endorsement.

If it pleases you to think so, go ahead. The current cadre of scientists feeding data into the "global warming is caused by us" machine are beholden to a system which would cut funds in a bananosecond if it became apparent they were to entertain any point of view other than the Al Gore world view.

Global warming may be a fact, but the causes and consequences are not.

Again, I am amused by Al's big payday. He'll get to fly around a lot and talk about our nice planet and mean people who drive big cars. What fun for him!

(Cut to the scene from the Mask when Jim Carrey holds up the Oscar and says, "They love me! They really love me!")

Mr. Krugman and all the Star-bellied Sneetches are welcome to think they're still the best Sneetches on the beaches. It's all part of the show, and its a good show.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Again, I am amused by Al's big payday. He'll get to fly around a lot and talk about our nice planet and mean people who drive big cars. What fun for him!

Gore is a very wealthy man, he can do whatever he wants with his time.
I don't think traveling heavily and giving the same slideshow hundreds of times would be so pleasant. Sounds like a lot of work in fact. He could have just taken a comfy, prestigous job in academia. Gore worked on this issue for decades, back when it was a thankless effort.

I expect Gore's contribution is going to stand-up pretty glowingly in history.

Unless you are right, in which case he'll be remembered as a charlatan and damn fool.

[RashanGary]

I had a post that had to do with Columbus and the elite royal family oppressing him from profiting from his skills. Turns out my observation is shared by a prestigous MIT economist.

http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2003/06/pdf/Acemoglu.pdf

I also touched on improving our economic system in a way that promotes the success of brilliant, skilled contributors to society, instead of having their skills used and somewhat oppressed by the elites. I said how the elite would be affraid of instituation that promotes the advance of the best and the brightest, rather than the most privilaged. This artical goes into that concept.

I thought the artical by Acemoglu was interesting and relevant, but I thought that the level of which he downplayed geography was a little excessive. I think institution combined with the population vs recource relationship are the two biggest factors. China has a lot of recources, but they also have a lot of people, splitting their pie in many more pieces. Our country has a lot of recources, with relatively few people and an instituation that promotes investment, competition as well as growth based on decisions. Therefor we have a large pie and few people to consume it, allowing us to have somewhat easy to achieve wealth.


If anyone takes the time to read that artical, I'm curious if anyone has ideas of which of our political parties' concepts jive best with this economists theory of how a country achieves and maintains wealth.

[hoosier]

The current cadre of scientists feeding data into the "global warming is caused by us" machine are beholden to a system which would cut funds in a bananosecond if it became apparent they were to entertain any point of view other than the Al Gore world view.

Remind me, who's behind this big "scientific-wing" conspiracy?

[Harlan Huckleby]

The current cadre of scientists feeding data into the "global warming is caused by us" machine are beholden to a system which would cut funds in a bananosecond if it became apparent they were to entertain any point of view other than the Al Gore world view.

Remind me, who's behind this big "scientific-wing" conspiracy?

cadre: a small unit serving as part of or as the nucleus of a larger political movement [synonym: cell]
A tightly knit group of zealots who are active in advancing the interests of a revolutionary party.

Swede is a live wire!

To be fair, I think there is a pretty large incentive for researchers to support the concept of global warming, Swede is right on that. But not extending across the planet, across thousands of studies.

The good news, or perhaps bad news, is the truth will come out. And the reality is dribbling out every day, month, year.

[MadtownPacker]

Voting must be fun.

[LL2]

Voting must be fun.

Do you get to vote? Tijuana must have some politicians?

[mraynrand]

And OF COURSE Arafat got a Noble (along with Israeli partners) when a peace initiative was looking so hopeful. If he was a terrorist (as were Israeli leaders, incidentally) that is almost besides the point.

You're so fucked in the head with moral relativism, it's a wonder you can even function. if Arafat was a terrorist? You say if for Arafat, but you are certain Israeli leaders were terrorists. beyond unbelievable.

[mraynrand]

Gore worked on this issue for decades, back when it was a thankless effort.

Decades? I thought it was global cooling the seventies. Oh, I see, he was ahead of us all. Just like with the internet.

Say, HH. If global warming is "settled science" why do we need 5 billion in climate research every year? Seems like a bit of a waste doesn't it? That 5 billion could be used to make some weapons to invade China and shut down their polluting coal burning plants. That's what Gore wants us to do, right?

[3irty1]

Gore worked on this issue for decades, back when it was a thankless effort.

Decades? I thought it was global cooling the seventies. Oh, I see, he was ahead of us all. Just like with the internet.

Say, HH. If global warming is "settled science" why do we need 5 billion in climate research every year? Seems like a bit of a waste doesn't it? That 5 billion could be used to make some weapons to invade China and shut down their polluting coal burning plants. That's what Gore wants us to do, right?

he did discover manbearpig.

[Harlan Huckleby]

And OF COURSE Arafat got a Noble (along with Israeli partners) when a peace initiative was looking so hopeful. If he was a terrorist (as were Israeli leaders, incidentally) that is almost besides the point.

You're so fucked in the head with moral relativism, it's a wonder you can even function. if Arafat was a terrorist? You say if for Arafat, but you are certain Israeli leaders were terrorists. beyond unbelievable.

The "if" applies to the appropriatness of the word "terrorist." You have parsed my words surgically and drawn false distinctions to justify your firey speech.

Several Israeli leaders during the Arafat era (Begin, Shamir, ...) led cells back in the 1940's that planted bombs to blow up British occupiers. You can call them "terrorists" or "freedom fighters." Similar status with Arafat, and this is my point.

Some consider Kissinger a war criminal for the policies he advocated in S.E. Asia. http://www.spectacle.org/0501/kissinger.html

People who are engaged in peace-making are often warriors too. Leaders do both. The Nobel prize isn't always given as a lifetime achievement award to peace-loving individuals, it's intended as a practical tool for encouraging peaceful developments.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Decades? I thought it was global cooling the seventies.

btw, the theory on global cooling turned out to be accurate. there are other factors that overwhelm its effects.

Say, HH. If global warming is "settled science" why do we need 5 billion in climate research every year? Seems like a bit of a waste doesn't it?

your mind may be black and white, but the world is not. Just because there is an overwhelming consensus on man-made global warming doesn't mean that they have perfect models.

[RashanGary]

I always love the "If it's not proven beyond a reasonable doubt, then it can't be true" arguement.

There are so many factors that go into planetary climate that it would be impossible to prove anything. Proving it shouldn't be required, showing that is is likely is all that is needed to start making a case for change.

As far as the arguement "who cares if the earth gets warmer", I would think the balance of the only existing livable planet in our reach is pretty important. You hate to do irreversable damage. The safest thing to do is preserve the planet the way it is so that we don't stumble upon any suprises. It could work out great, but who wants to gamble when it comes to that planet that gives us life?

[Harlan Huckleby]

As far as the arguement "who cares if the earth gets warmer", I would think the balance of the only existing livable planet in our reach is pretty important

Just to muddy the waters a bit, I do get confused about the argument that some species will die. Won't other threatened species thrive in the warmer temperatures? Seems like it would balance out. The greatest biological diversity is found in tropical climates. (I just pulled that "fact" out of my ass, but I do know that the rain forests are the most diverse ecology.) And I've read a lot of ocean fish have increased their range.

But never mind.

[SkinBasket]

I would think the balance of the only existing livable planet in our reach is pretty important. You hate to do irreversable damage. The safest thing to do is preserve the planet the way it is so that we don't stumble upon any suprises. It could work out great, but who wants to gamble when it comes to that planet that gives us life?

You ever think the planet is sick of "giving us life" and would rather we just fucking perish? Why is the possible extinction of mankind such a dramatic event for you people? We ain't gonna last forever you know and the planet you claim to care so much about will be better for it. Deal with it.

In the words of the Shatner:

Live life like you’re gonna die
Becasue you’re going to.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news
But you’re gonna die

Maybe not today or even next year
But before you know it you’ll be saying
“Is this all there was?
What was all the fuss?
Why did I bother?”

Now, maybe you won’t suffer, maybe it’s quick
But you’ll have time to think
Why did I waste it?
Why didn’t I taste it?
You’ll have time
Because you’re gonna die.

Yes it’s gonna happen because it’s happened to a lot of people I know
My mother, my father, my loves
The president, the kings and the pope
They all had hope

And they muttered just before they went
Maybe I won’t go
Live life like you’re going to die
Because you are

Maybe you won’t suffer maybe it’s quick
But you’ll have time to think
Why did I waste it?
Why didn’t I taste it?
You’ll have time
‘Cause you’re gonna die

I tell you who else left us
Passed on down to heaven no longer with us
Johnny Cash, JFK, that guy in the Stones
Lou Gehrig, Einstein, Joey Ramone
Have I convinced you yet?
Do you read my lips?
This may come as news but it’s time.
You’re gonna die.

By the time you hear this I may well be dead
And you my friend might be next
‘Cause we’re all gonna die

Maybe you won’t suffer and maybe it’s quick
But you’ll have time to think
Why did I waste it?
Why didn’t I taste it?
You’ll have time
You’ll have time, ’cause you’re gonna die
Yes, you’re gonna die
You’re gonna die, I tell you
You’re gonna die
You are going to die