Greta

[MWG14]

Doesn’t that Swedish person ever go to school or does she think she knows it all already?


She’s off to Davos now for a world summit.

[jim360]

Those damned scientists, always discovering more questions to answer!

[naomi24]

If only ....

[Khandro]

jim; Wouldn't even a scientist concede that drunkenness, outdoor fires in dry, hot, windy weather, is a dangerous combination?

[Ellipsis]

Yes they would, Khandro. And they would look at those components ...

drunkenness
outdoor fires
dry, hot, windy weather

... and ask: What's different this year to previous years, to make fires worse?

The weather was certainly drier, hotter and windier than normal. That may have led to more outdoor fires at social occasions. And those social occasions may have led to more drunkenness. All in all, a perfect storm brought on by the unusual conditions this year.

[jim360]

It's cute when you think you're making a serious point, Naomi.

Khandro -- see Ellipsis' answer. The first part is hardly to be unexpected and is normal year-on-year. And, in fact, is largely irrelevant, because, as it turns out, most of the fires will have been caused by lightning strikes.

I'm running out of things to say about just how groundless your suggestion is. It's a question that has been asked and answered.

[naomi24]

I don't 'think' I am, Jim. I am.

[jim360]

Only you're not. What do you think Scientists spend their days doing? Clue: it's answering questions, and discovering even more of them to answer.

[ludwig]

They're all in on it. I'm not sure what it is, but they're in on it.

[Peter Pedant]

// jim; Wouldn't even a scientist concede that drunkenness, outdoor fires in dry, hot, windy weather, is a dangerous combination?//

and there was silly old me thinking that at last some on AB accepted that fires from strikes were a part of the longish life cycle of the terrain - and the question was - why are they so bad this year?

and clearly they dont
Ji, there are times when I think you shold say - yeah yeah OK 1+1=3

[Ellipsis]

"It" is the Indisputable Truth that must not be spoken, ludwig ...

[Theland]

"They're in on it."
Yes they are. Research grants, lucrative expense accounts, foreign travel for conferences, to name but a few.
Then there are book deals to be had, and the lecture circuit.
False science certainly pays.

[Peter Pedant]

// drunkenness// as in spontaneous combustion ? now there is apoint I didnt think of before - like Mr Crook in dickens Bleak House

sorry this has turned into a normal day on AB

[naomi24]

Jim, //What do you think Scientists spend their days doing? Clue: it's answering questions//

Even when they don't know the answers .... or more to the point when they ensure that the answers they give align with their personal world view.

[jim360]

Theland's comment is one-sided in its scrutiny, as is always the way. The secret to avoiding this pitfall is quite simple: become a scientist yourself. Then there's no messenger to scrutinise, only your own interpretation.

[Peter Pedant]

// False science certainly pays.//
well you should be a rich man then Theand hur hur hur
conclusion but he isnt so it isnt ....

even Gallo who forged his results over HIV and tried to shaft Montagnier over HIV was found out in the end
M got a Nobel and G didnt....

[naomi24]

//become a scientist yourself. Then there's no messenger to scrutinise, only your own interpretation. //

:o)

[jim360]

Personal world views may influence the questions you ask, but it is difficult to influence the answers. Science may lose its footing from time to time but in the end the answer wins through.

By way, Naomi, did you look at any of the sources I posted in answer to your earlier enquiry?

[jim360]

Also, N, the key thing to realise about becoming a scientist is that it's not an exclusive club but an aspiration. Anyone can, if they are willing to put in the effort. The only thing that makes a scientist special is the choices they made.

[naomi24]

Yes, I looked, Jim. I look at a lot of things. It strikes me, however, that your deliberations on this subject are rather reminiscent of your deliberations on another. For the reader, pinches of salt are required.

[naomi24]

Jim, //The only thing that makes a scientist special is the choices they made. //

But scientists aren't special. They're doing a job.