Saturday, March 10, 2007

Both Sides Now

So what's next?

Suppose a teacher explains to the pupils of the classroom that the Earth is round, actually resembling more of an oblate spheroid. Should students also have to hear the opposing view that the world is flat?

There are no reputable scientists and climatologists that dispute global warming, and if there's any controversy at all regarding this it only concerns the amount human activity has on this phenomenon.

This kind of LTTE is just plain ridiculous.

"Forcing young students to view Al Gore's film without making the opposing views mandatory reading is not promoting open discussion of all sides of issues. Forcing one view down the throats of our young students is much closer to brainwashing." -Lee Daniels, Clarkdale

Yeah, right.

"Scientists predict an increase in global temperatures from 2 to 6 degrees F. if greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current rate. Over 900 scientists from 40 countries participated in the study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The panel was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Program. In addition to the scientists participating in the study, 2,400 more have signed a letter endorsing the findings."

Oh well. Who is one to believe? Energy industry hacks whose paychecks depend on the ferocity with which they deny reality, or your own lying eyes?

I've said this before and I'll say it again: just look at the pictures.

If we were to follow the thinking of the letter writer then anytime an aspect of reality was taught in class, it would have to be balanced by an unrealistic alternative view so that "both sides," reality and fantasy, received equal time. Just to be fair and all.

1 comment:

Handsome B. Wonderful said...

Suppose a teacher explains to the pupils of the classroom that the Earth is round, actually resembling more of an oblate spheroid. Should students also have to hear the opposing view that the world is flat?

Great analogy.