By Jo Nova
Some skeptics wonder why I bother pursing and documenting the problems with Lewandowsky et al 2012 and with the blog ShapingTomorrowsWorld. They figure that all skeptics now know the papers dismal failings, and it’s clear that Lewandowsky is unlikely to be grateful for the help.
But Lewandowsky exposes people higher up to awkward questions. Why do they fund work so unscientific? Why do they allow such hypocrisy and bias on a government funded publication? Are standards at the University of Western Australia (UWA) so low that they can’t find a Professor who understands the scientific method, and can reason without name-calling? Aren’t other statisticians at UWA concerned at what Lewandowsky is doing to the reputation of “UWA Statistics”? Finally, aren’t the scientists who missed out on ARC funding angry that our taxpayer funds are given instead to someone who apparently uses the funds to promote his personal political views, instead of in the pursuit of knowledge? (See: Lewandowsky gets $1.7m of taxpayer funds to denigrate people who disagree with him) To Read More…..
My Take - I love Jo's logic regarding the lack of outrage among legitimate scientists over wasting research money on horsepucky. It demonstrates something I have been saying for many years. PhD. types don't have the courage to be a rock in the current. Much like career military officers they learn very early that to get along you must go along. That failure of character becomes a lifelong habit. They get the good assignments, the promotions, the research money, the teaching positions and they fail the nation and humanity in their respective fields. Oh...one more thing. I have been re-reading "A Man Called Intrepid". I recommend everyone get a copy. The patterns repeat over and over again....the names, the circumstances and the times may be different the the patterns repeat. RK
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