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Monthly Archives: May 2006
Onsager problem
Which one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century was the worst teacher, academically? After a good deal of thinking, I elect Lars Onsager. Onsager was perhaps the greatest chemical physicist of the 20 th century. He received the … Continue reading
Why do we have noses?
A large nose is the mark of a witty, courteous, affable, generous and liberal man. Cyrano de Bergerac Why do we have these strange cartilaginous appendages projecting from our faces? Arguably, the nose is the most ridiculous part of human physiognomy. It also … Continue reading
My Americana. XIV. Dear Mr. President, …
I–II–III–IV–V–VIa–VIb–VII–VIII–IX–X–XI–XII–XIII–XIV I finally had a chance to read the letter of Mr. Ahmadi-Najad (of Iran) to President Bush . The full text is here. It took me a while to remember where I’ve read something like that before: in Karel … Continue reading
Global Warming. 12. Busy old fool
0–1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9–10–11–12 Busy old fool, unruly Sun, Why dost thou thus, Through windows, and through curtains, call on us? John Donne, The Sun Rising In essay 11 of this series we have briefly discussed what capping the CO2 emissions through global … Continue reading
Global Warming. 11. How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Climate Change
0–1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9–10 The moral aspect of the problem aside: GW alarmism: is it “good” or “bad?” I often hear the argument that GW alarmism might be morally questionable, scientifically unsound, and yet it might be a force for good. Not the … Continue reading
Global Warming. 10. Me too, me too!
0–1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9 In essay 9 of this series, I observed that climatologists are not the only group of scientists that actively pursue alarmism to attract media attention and increase funding. They are just the most visible part of a community thus … Continue reading
Global Warming. 9. Crooks of the matter.
0–1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8 Alarm rather than genuine scientific curiosity, it appears, is essential to maintaining funding. And only the most senior scientists today can stand up against this alarmist gale, and defy the iron triangle of climate scientists, advocates and policymakers. R. … Continue reading
Global Warming. 8. C ‘n’ N
0–1–2–3–4–5–6–7 …Gaia is one tough bitch (Lynn Margulis) …Before this century is over, billions of us will die, and the few breeding pairs of people that survive will be in the Arctic where the climate remains tolerable… her ex-coauthor, James … Continue reading
Global Warming. 7. The ozone hole: how international protocols solve all problems
0–1–2–3–4–5–6 One of the favorite myths of GW enthusiasts is the heroic story of atmospheric scientists delivering the humanity from the dreaded threat of ozone depletion, by insisting on cutting CFC pollution (the Montreal Protocol, 1989). This example supposedly demonstrates … Continue reading
Global Warming. 6. The Day Before Yesterday
0–1–2–3–4–5 Global warming is “bad for the planet.” Interestingly, it is only this latest one which is “bad.” You seldom hear lamentations about the bygone Ice Age and the loss of the soulful Neanderthal man and the megafauna that was … Continue reading
shkrobius 