Shall we inform Mr. Jello what's wrong with global warming skeptics?

Question

I see that since he has blocked most of the top answerers in this section, Mr. Jello has only received 5 answers so far to his question about what's wrong with skeptics. I figure we should let everyone answer this question.

My answer is that of course there's nothing wrong with healthy skepticism. On the contrary - everyone should be skeptical of all information and independently verify it. Skepticism is crucial in science.

However, people like Mr. Jello are not skeptics. They distort the facts, lie by omission, ignore when they're corrected, censor people who correct them, and only seek out information which verifies what they want to hear. The correct term for that is denial. What's wrong with denial is that it allows people to ignore the reality of a situation, no matter how evident it might be.

Anyone else want to provide their opinions about global warming skepticism and denial?

dpj5 asks - Is "I don't disagree that the globe may be warming but I don't believe man is the main contributor" skepticism or denial?

That depends entirely on why you don't believe it.

GABY - I'm grown with a job and a life, but thanks for your concern.

Just out of curiosity (on a seperate topic), why do you continue to claim that electric vehicles don't reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions when I've shown you proof that they do?

GABY - I'm referring to this question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnxRBU2RzMydTSiCK08JtVDty6IX?qid=20070725173013AACvmiq

Where you said

"I learned a lot. I now understand how electric cars may reduce emmissions."

But in every EV question/answer since then, you continue to claim that EVs don't reduce emissions but simply move them around. I don't get it.

Answer 1

My answer is that skepticism is fantastic. In fact, the scientific process couldn't function without it. But there's a fine line between skepticism and denial. And many GW theory proponents (and, to be fair, some proponents) have crossed it long ago.

For some reason, people get it into their heads that skepticism means questioning only the prevailing scientific consensus of the day. Yet fail to realize that it also means questioning the dissenters as well. Often you'll see a self-proclaimed skeptic unflinchingly deny some piece of evidence for the theory even when it has been fully explained to them, yet accept as unquestionable truth anything they believe confirms what their preconceived beliefs.

In essence, skepticism is the act of telling anyone making a claim about reality, "That's lovely. Now prove it."

Answer 2

There are global warming skeptics here, and global warming deniers.

My listing of skeptics includes DeusExMachina, Marc G, and 3DM (even though his non-data based arguments are sometimes not useful in illuminating the issue). And others. Their questions are thought provoking, and their answers generally appropriate to the question. They are capable of giving "Best Answer" to just about anyone who gives an honestly valuable answer, not just those who post simple agreement with their philosophy.

Jello is your classic denier. Reflexive posts of the same opinions over and over, regardless of the details of the question. Asking "questions" that are simply rants. Often plays fast and loose with the truth. Frequently selects "Best Answers" that have absolutely no intellectual content (which may be the easiest way to identify a denier).

Of course it's a continuous spectrum.

Answer 3

LOL Come on guys I'm blocked to and feel kind of flattered like Joe cool but maybe he,s just having a bad hair day .

Don't get mad guys but i did give him a couple thumbs up on some of his answers it was hard but i did it . I hate seeing people suffer no matter what they think. I'm big enough to forgive them.

My answer is there's not a thing wrong with skepticism we would probably all be dead if we believed everything everyone told us.

Answer 4

To me global warming means "Global destabilization" since the weather around many parts of the world is not only getting warmer, it is just becoming more erratic with fiercer storms, colder and hotter weather, more floods, etc, so as to why they call it global warming I am not quite sure, but I really think that it should be called global destabilization.

At any rate, I have lots of info that I think you will find quite helpful and enlightening:

http://ecowellness.multiply.com/... for excellent inspirational info within my blog to help not only our world and its creatures, but to also open peoples hearts and minds to many amazing wonders that life has to offer. I also have lots of info in my blog to help fuel peoples imaginations to many possibilities that can be found only in the minds eye.

Along with lots of environmental info, amazing environmental pictures and videos (These videos show the beauty of this world and what life can be like if people take the time to appreciate life’s true beauty).

Let us all strive for a greener/brighter future by helping to create a solid foundation for future generations to build upon, so we can hand them a beautiful world, filled with never ending awe and wonders!!

Where peoples differences and uniqueness are accepted, where we all live as one, helping one another so that we can all play our own mysteriously beautiful melodies in the never ending, awe inspiring, song of life :-)

I truly have faith in humanity and believe that someday our lives and the world in which we live will truly be transformed for the better.

Answer 5

Dana...Is "I don't disagree that the globe may be warming but I don't believe man is the main contributor" skepticism or denial?

Answer 6

His main problem is he can't deal with a level playing field, so he excludes people who disagree with him, or offer arguments he can't answer. There isn't much role in society for people who get incontinent when they don't get their way.

Answer 7

I believe there is global warming, but I don't care for arrogance much more than I don't like people who disagree with my opinion.

There is nothing wrong with skepticism and denial. It is a very normal human reaction to any traumatic or life altering event.

You sound like just another arrogant politically correct groupie. Grow up. Get a job. Get a life.

Answer 8

I just went to look at his question and COULDN"T! I am personally flattered that he considers little old me to be enough of a big player to block me. I mean, I understand Byderule and Dana...but Me?

Lol. What a gelatinous tool bag.

Answer 9

Mr. Jello is ignorant, and his ignorance sprouts from his denial. Jeez. Wake up Jello.