The article linked to above promotes some thought towards a theory about global warming.
I should present the history of my views on the subject. My education before college was heavily Christian-influenced, biased, whatever you want to call it. Most of my text books had the subtitle “For Christian Schools”. Like I studied from “Biology for Christian Schools” etc. So I was barely aware of the issue, much less had any opinion of it, other than, “it doesn’t seem that hot out to me.”
During college, a few of my courses touched on the subject, and assumed a lot of knowledge on the part of the student. I was behind the rest of the class, in a sense. When I attempted to argue, I was put in my place, by either the professor himself, or another student with the professor nodding (more convincing).
So I came to the conclusion that there was something to this global warming stuff, and I should check it out further. I didn’t. I then read “State of Fear” By Michael Crichton, which was written specifically for the purpose of influencing people to Crichton’s environmental point of view. Crichton is a leader/public speaker representing the minority of scientists who do not think global warming is a crisis. Let me be clear – no one argues that greenhouse gases do not contribute to a warming effect. This group simply believes it is not that big of a deal, and doesn’t think we should be spending billions of dollars curbing greenhouse gas emissions, because in the end, it is only one factor that affects our atmosphere and climate. Many of these other factors are not well known, studied, or predictable. Most computer simulations neglect to take into consideration these factors, and it is not feasible to include them.
Not too long ago, I watched Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” and was disappointed by how much information he included about himself and his political career. But I was somewhat influenced by his speeches and presentation during the film.
Most recently, I read a transcript of a debate between global warming alarmists and the Crichton camp. I was pushed more towards the middle of the argument, as neither side seemed all that convincing.
So by now, I’ve taken an almost ridiculously selfish point of view. I can’t decide either way whether or not global warming is something we should do anything about. It seems like it couldn’t hurt to take some type of action collectively, but I’m not able to do anything about it personally. So I don’t care. If my great-great-grandchildren have to live underground or on Mars… screw ‘em. I won’t be here.
I especially won’t be able to do anything about it if it is caused by sun spots, as is suggested by the article linked to by the title of this post.
On a side, but related note, if you have any doubts about recycling (or even if you believe in it whole-heartedly) watch Penn and Teller’s Bullshit!, season 2, episode 5. I no longer recycle anything, except at work, where I am forced to recycle paper.
