Scientific "Concensus"

In case you haven't been following the story, the email and files of some prominent climate researchers was hacked and posted to the web. The emails contained some interesting statements, which of course as being explained away as "of course we weren't manipulating data."

See, the problem here is guys, it looks like you were. As much as scientists want to believe they've come so far, they are no different than scientists throughout the ages who "knew" something to be true.

Is pumping CO2 and toxins in the air bad? Yes. Should we try and stop doing it? Yes.

Is there a true "scientific" concensus on it? Heck no. Dissenting voices aren't heard.* Or are laughed off as quacks because there is lots of money to be had in grants if you have the hot theory.

This isn't just in climatology. This is in evolutionary study, physics, lots of different areas. Dissenting voices are quashed.

The issue to me isn't if the data was being manipulated. It is more an issue of these scientists aren't doing their work with an open mind. Because if they are not, they don't have to manipulate the data, they'll just miss the stuff that doesn't fit unconsciously.

I look forward to seeing this develop.

Also, I'm not saying its a good thing that hackers broke in and stole it...but...dang, this sure is nice and interesting!

*Helps when you put the "n't" on the end of the word so the entire post makes sense...

Its That Time of Year

Time for the "news" channels to "report" on holiday travel. Its going to be BUSY! WOW!!!!

You should plan accordingly! This is news? Honestly? Really???????

I'm sorry, to me, this is PROOF that TV news makes you stupider. Sure, even NPR does a little piece on holiday travel, but they at least aren't running the same piece every hour all day long.

I understand its cheaper to send a cameraman and a guy with a mic to the local airport to interview Jimbo about his holiday travel plans than it is to send someone to the Phillipines to report on whats going on there. But, honestly, its like this EVERY YEAR! Have you idiots not figured out its busy during the holiday season?

Bah, humbug

Mad Skillz

Or not. So, while my job's in a bit of limbo and the dealership is probably getting sold, I'm still working! YAY!

Everyone around here is rushing to do inventory, etc. and working off lots of old messed up invoices.

So, today, I got to show off my mad Paint skillz (yes, with a Z) and clean an invoice up. It was kind of fun. I scanned in the invoice, erased the lines that needed erased. Changed the total, and then erased the pen markings all over the place.

I'm not going to be asked to contribute to any amazing photoshop work anytime soon, but it looked much better than it did.

I was pretty proud of myself. I have a few computer skills left at least

Waiting

I suck at waiting. I'm an instant gratification lover. Yes, this is not a good thing I realize.

Right now I'm waiting to find out if I keep my job. Joy! Nothing like waiting to see if you keep the job currently have! Ugh.

So, I wait. And try not to worry, since it doesn't do any good. And pray. And wait and did I mention this sucks?

I'll know this week sometime.

I normally don't post things like this, but, its really on my mind right now. So, I share?

Politics from the Interwebs

If you read this, you know I hate our two party system. I've hated it long before I started to read much stuff politically on the web.

That said, here is a hilarious comic on it.

See, I can poke fun at myself.

NEVER SURRENDER!

The French are frequently made fun of for surrendering. The 20th century was not overly kind to them in war and well, lots of jokes are made at their expense.

Apparently to compensate for this, they have decided to defend their language at idiot lengths.

Here is a hilarious article on the efforts that go into keeping French "pure."

Ya know. I rip on English for being an amazing bastardization German with French, Latin and Greek roots shoved in all over. But, I like how our language just adapts as needed. We just add a word that works. We don't bother to come up with bizarre five word descriptions that aren't needed.

Thanks to Sheldon for pointing this out to me.

Nanowrimo

Nanowha? Nanowrimo. National Novel Writing Month. Yeah, writing a 150 page novel in a month. 50,000 words. 1666.66666(repeating) words per day.

I'm trying it. I'm not too far behind right now and its fun. Lots of fun. None of the constant editting and changing, just writing. After November is over, I can edit all I want. For now, its just crank out words as fast as I can.

Wish me luck. If you want to track my progress my name on there is ovid9.