Is "Global Warming" forum a failure in Yahoo! Answers?

Question

Yahoo! Answers is not a refereed forum, and a lot of bad science and pseudo-science is put forward as a result. Free speech is a fine thing, but on some scientific topics the results are clear. Global warming is one such issue---there is essentially no further controversy in the refereed scientific literature about the reality of global warming, its anthropogenic cause, or the *possibility* of lethal danger to life on Earth.

http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/climate-change/dn11654

Yet here in Yahoo! Answers, "3DM" and "Mike", who clearly do not understand the physics of the situation in depth, are heralded as experts, "Top Contributors". Largely, this is a case of the blind leading the blind---the misinformed, choosing further misinformation as "best answer".

P.S. My credentials are irrelevant. In fact, the whole "argument from authority" is problematic. The issues are clear to those who understand the science. If you don't understand the science, the fact that the vast majority of climate scientists are issuing a clear warning of serious danger should encourage you to learn enough to really understand the problem in detail.

Answer 1

Well it's certainly far from a perfect system. People will ask something like 'Mars is warming, so that must be beacuse of SUVs', receive a half dozen scientific explanations about why the warming on Mars is different than warming on Earth, and pick the one who says 'yeah, global warming is bullshit!' as the best answer. Essentially many of the global warming questions are not asked out of a sincere sense of curiosity - people's minds are already set on the issue.

This is true of most of the categories in Y!A though. Global warming is probably worse in this aspect than most categories, because everyone seems to fancy themselves experts on the subject, regardless of how mis- or uninformed they are. It certainly doesn't help that certain people are deemed 'top contributors' when they often provide inaccurate information.

Overall I'd say Y!A is no worse a failure than any other public forum where global warming is discussed by the uninformed masses. Most people are simply not open-minded about the issue, and no forum format will change that. However, oftentimes a genuinely good answer is chosen in the global warming category, so at least some accurate information is passed along.

Answer 2

YA isn't a scientific forum. It's a forum of public opinion. And it's a fact that many people don't believe in global warming, just as many people don't believe in evolution. We can bang our heads against the wall over this, or we can take our discussions to forums with more regard for science, or we can see this as an opportuntiy to engage people who don't get it yet, and try to be gently persuasive. The rudeness and name-calling may just be signs of how difficult it's becoming for them to remain in denial. Hang in there - they'll come around eventually.

Answer 3

Dana1981...although we agree to disagree on the manmade global warming issue I've always appreciated that you come with intelligent, well said responses. I think Y! answers need more of the conversation rather than some of the idiocracy that is just spewed out.

Answer 4

If your such an expert, why don't you give me your real name, your academic credentials and what University your associated with. Then I'll look you up and ifin I'm a satisfied, I'll listen to what you gotta say as a "scientist."

Answer 5

If it's so settled then you should have no problem with those who contend that it isn't.

Just because you can't prove your assertion doesn't mean it's "pseudo science" or that the Y/A page is a failure.

What it means is that YOU'RE the failure.