Category: Philosophy

bookmark_borderThe Importance of Embracing Science Over Astrology, Religion, and False Beliefs

Posted on by admin

by Daniel Brouse

Astronomy is firmly grounded in science, whereas astrology is not. Advocating astrology undermines scientific understanding and fosters false beliefs. A notable example of the harm caused by astrology was the long-held belief that the Sun revolved around the Earth. Similarly, some Indigenous peoples of the Americas relied on the Moon’s cycle to calculate time. While practical in some contexts, this approach lacked the precision of modern astronomical methods and, more importantly, hindered the transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to an agricultural society.

The Sun and the Moon are the only celestial objects with a significant influence on Earth, though the Moon’s impact pales in comparison to that of the Sun. The Sun’s heliosphere serves as the most critical protector of the solar system. Ultimately, one would benefit far more, both psychologically and socially, by embracing and advancing scientific knowledge.

The real anti-science issue stems from politics and selfishness, with religion also playing a significant role. Ironically, many religions denounce astrology as sorcery or the work of the devil, when in reality, both are rooted in false beliefs. This is where the false belief begins: “The issue with astrology is that the planets, etc., are metaphorical representations of energetic forces within a holistic framework.” The cosmos are not representations of energetic forces. This argument is akin to trying to prove the existence of God. By the logical Law of Identity, God does not “exist” as a definable entity. Similarly, under the same law, so-called “energetic forces” do not exist as tangible realities. These false beliefs—whether in religion, astrology, or other metaphysical constructs—foster ignorance, arrogance, and intolerance.

Humans interact with and experience the fundamental forces of nature, but they do not inherently “possess” them in the sense of generating or controlling them. Here’s how humans relate to the fundamental forces of nature:

  1. Gravity
    • Humans experience gravity as a force that keeps them grounded on Earth. Every object with mass, including humans, exerts gravitational force, but it’s negligible compared to celestial bodies like Earth.
  2. Electromagnetic Force
    • Humans interact with the electromagnetic force in various ways. Our nervous systems use electrical signals for communication, and our bodies generate weak electromagnetic fields. Electromagnetic forces govern the behavior of atoms and molecules in our bodies, enabling chemical reactions and cellular functions.
  3. Strong Nuclear Force
    • This force holds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus of atoms. While humans don’t “possess” this force, it is fundamental to the structure of the atoms that make up our bodies.
  4. Weak Nuclear Force
    • Responsible for certain types of radioactive decay and subatomic processes. Like the strong force, it operates at the atomic level, indirectly influencing humans as part of the natural processes that sustain the universe.

Forces Humans Can Influence:

Humans can harness and manipulate some natural forces, such as:

  • Electromagnetism (e.g., through technology like electricity and magnetism).
  • Mechanical Forces (e.g., applying physical forces for movement or building structures).

While humans don’t “possess” these forces in a direct sense, they are an intrinsic part of the natural world and integral to our existence.

bookmark_borderThe Rise of Public Sadism and Cruelty

Posted on by admin

Headline: “Woman Who Shot Her Dog Will Head Us Homeland Security”
Kristi Noem faced widespread backlash in April this year when she wrote in a memoir that she shot to death an “untrainable” dog that she “hated” on her family farm.

The Rise of Public Sadism and Cruelty
Part of my recent study reveals a disturbing trend among Trump supporters: a shared tendency toward cruelty and sadism. If someone finds sadism amusing, it not only highlights a lack of empathy but may also point to underlying mental health issues. This behavior reflects a troubling mindset that demands attention and critical examination. The unchecked destruction of the environment, the erosion of governmental structures, and the growing normalization of cruelty paint a dire and unmistakable picture of our future.

History Repeats Itself
There are similar studies examining the rise of public sadism and cruelty in Nazi Germany, focusing on psychological, sociopolitical, and cultural factors. Scholars often explore how propaganda, dehumanization of marginalized groups, and the ideology of the regime created a culture where cruelty was normalized or even celebrated.

Key works include:
* Christopher Browning’s “Ordinary Men” – Examines how regular people participated in atrocities due to peer pressure, ideology, and situational factors.
* Hannah Arendt’s “Eichmann in Jerusalem” – Discusses the “banality of evil” and how ordinary individuals can commit acts of cruelty under systemic influence.
* Harald Welzer’s studies – Focus on group dynamics and the psychological processes enabling public sadism.

These works suggest that societal and institutional factors can deeply influence individual behavior, fostering environments where cruelty flourishes.

Trump’s Normalization of Hate and Cruelty
The rise in cruelty and the normalization of sadism among Trump supporters are evident in several unsettling examples. Kristi Noem’s appointment as Homeland Security Director follows her unapologetic boasting about killing an “untrainable” dog she despised, which received applause from supporters. Similarly, Stephen Miller’s reemergence as Deputy Chief of Staff highlights far-right cruelty, including his infamous role in family separations, anti-immigrant policies, and white nationalist rhetoric. Many Trump supporters are referring to the extensive list of controversial and empathy-lacking nominations and appointments as their ‘dream team.’

Parallels and Common Ideologies of the Far-Right
The parallels between far-right movements in the United States and Israel often revolve around shared ideologies regarding nationalism, militarism, and resistance to pluralism or inclusive political solutions, such as a two-state resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Here are the connections:

1. Leaders and Roles

  • Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel would likely reflect a U.S. foreign policy stance aligned with far-right priorities. Both figures are known for strong pro-Israel positions, frequently aligning with Israeli right-wing policies that resist concessions to Palestinians.
  • Rubio has expressed unwavering support for Israeli military actions and has consistently opposed conditions placed on U.S. aid to Israel. Huckabee, a vocal evangelical Christian, has supported Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law, and has dismissed the feasibility of a two-state solution.

2. Obstruction to a Two-State Solution

  • Both U.S. and Israeli far-right groups reject a two-state solution as a viable path to peace. They often promote the idea of complete Israeli sovereignty over contested territories, undermining efforts at diplomacy. This rejectionism aligns with policies that exacerbate the plight of Palestinians in the occupied territories.

3. Dehumanizing Rhetoric

  • Dehumanizing language, such as referring to Arabs as “animals” or “subhuman,” is a characteristic shared by extreme factions. Such language has been condemned internationally for fostering hatred and justifying violence. Leaders in both far-right movements have used rhetoric that frames Palestinians and Arabs as existential threats, often downplaying civilian casualties in military actions.

4. Deliberate Infliction of Pain

  • Far-right movements in both countries have been criticized for policies that appear to prolong suffering, such as withholding critical resources. For example:
    • Bombing Civilian Areas: Disregard for civilian casualties, including children, during military operations, has been a hallmark of critiques against Israeli far-right policies. Similar rhetoric in the U.S. far-right justifies collateral damage in conflicts by portraying it as necessary for national security.
    • Withholding Pain Medication and Food Supplies: Policies restricting medical and humanitarian aid to Gaza, for instance, have drawn international condemnation, with critics likening them to collective punishment.

5. Pleasure in Suffering

  • The far-right in both countries often appears to derive satisfaction from “owning” perceived adversaries, which aligns with the broader critique of cruelty as a political tool. Public comments, social media posts, and political statements sometimes celebrate the suffering of the “enemy,” reflecting an absence of empathy.

These actions and attitudes contribute to broader concerns about the erosion of democratic values, human rights, and possibilities for peaceful coexistence. While these parallels are not absolute and do not apply to all members of either movement, they highlight concerning trends in both countries.

Normalization of Hate and Cruelty: A Culture of Relishing Pain and Suffering
This shift in societal norms is mirrored in online behavior, where Trump supporters often express amusement or approval through emojis and comments, reinforcing the acceptability of these attitudes. Social media has amplified this trend, enabling the public normalization of sadistic and hateful behaviors across political and ideological divides.

The phrase “own the libs” has gained popularity in certain political and cultural contexts, often used to describe actions or statements aimed at provoking, humiliating, or frustrating perceived liberal or progressive individuals. Examining the phrase reveals two troubling implications:

  1. Pleasure in Cruelty:
    • The expression reflects a willingness to act out of spite rather than genuine political or ideological discourse. It shifts the goal from engaging in meaningful debate to simply inflicting emotional or intellectual discomfort on others.
    • This aligns with concepts like “schadenfreude,” the pleasure derived from another’s misfortune, and demonstrates an erosion of empathy in political and cultural exchanges. Instead of focusing on constructive policy or shared goals, the phrase celebrates antagonism for its own sake.
  2. Evocation of Slavery Imagery:
    • The term “own” carries dark historical connotations tied to the enslavement of human beings, particularly in the United States. Historically, to “own” a person was to assert absolute control and dehumanize them, stripping away autonomy and dignity.
    • While the phrase is not always used with an explicit reference to slavery, its invocation in the context of political dominance or humiliation can unintentionally (or in some cases, intentionally) echo the power dynamics and cruelty associated with slavery.

By celebrating domination and deriving satisfaction from others’ discomfort, “own the libs” perpetuates a culture of divisiveness and cruelty. Furthermore, the historical baggage of “ownership” as a concept cannot be entirely divorced from its use, especially in a country still grappling with the legacy of slavery. It’s a stark reminder of how language can carry unintended or overlooked implications that resonate deeply with historical injustices.

Here’s a detailed analysis of specific cases highlighting the acceptance and promotion of hate and cruelty among Trump supporters:

1. Family Separation Policy at the Border

  • Policy Details: Under the Trump administration, the “Zero Tolerance” immigration policy led to the separation of thousands of children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
  • Public Reaction: Many Trump supporters defended the policy as necessary for border security, with some even mocking the suffering of separated families. Social media posts from supporters often celebrated the policy as “tough love” for immigrants.

2. Mockery of Disabled Reporter

  • Incident: During his 2016 campaign, Trump mocked Serge Kovaleski, a reporter with a physical disability.
  • Supporter Response: Rather than condemning the act, many Trump supporters dismissed criticism as “overreaction” and cheered the event, framing it as an example of Trump being “unfiltered.”

3. Protests Against Social Justice Movements

  • Examples: Counter-protests against Black Lives Matter demonstrations often included violent rhetoric and displays of aggression, such as driving vehicles into crowds or brandishing firearms.
  • Public Behavior: Trump supporters frequently labeled protesters as “thugs” or “terrorists” and expressed glee over incidents where protesters were injured or arrested.

4. Targeting of LGBTQ+ Rights

  • Policy Actions: The Trump administration rolled back protections for transgender people in areas such as military service and healthcare.
  • Cultural Reinforcement: Trump supporters celebrated these moves as victories against “wokeness” and often used social media to ridicule or attack LGBTQ+ individuals.

5. Online Harassment Campaigns

  • Patterns: Trump supporters frequently organize harassment campaigns targeting journalists, academics, and activists, especially women and minorities, often using threats of violence or dehumanizing language.
  • Notable Examples: Victims like Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have faced a barrage of racist and sexist attacks, with some threats amplified by Trump himself.

6. Support for Political Violence

  • January 6 Capitol Attack: The storming of the Capitol in 2021 was a culmination of violent rhetoric normalized within Trump-supporting circles.
  • Post-Event Celebration: Many supporters referred to the event as a “patriotic act,” dismissing the deaths and injuries caused.

These examples reflect a cultural normalization of cruelty, where acts of aggression or policies causing harm are not only justified but often celebrated within the Trump-supporting base.

 

bookmark_borderAbout Our Experiment

Posted on by admin

By Daniel Brouse

Many people ask, “Why does a scientist engage with climate deniers?”

Thanks for the concern! You’re right that, for my mental health, it might be easier to ignore them. However, as an educator, I see these interactions as an opportunity to reach a wider audience. Engaging with climate skeptics—what some might call ‘climate dummies’—gives me the chance to correct misinformation in real time and provide fact-based explanations to others who may be quietly observing the conversation.

By addressing these false claims head-on, I can offer a legitimate, scientifically backed source of information to those seeking clarity in a sea of misinformation. This outreach is critical, especially when so many people are exposed to conflicting or inaccurate claims about climate change. My aim is not to argue for the sake of it, but to ensure that there are trusted voices out there providing clear, evidence-based information on the urgent reality of climate change.

In addition, their opposition is immensely educative in our efforts. In reality, their persistent denial of climate change has forced us to rethink and drastically rebuild our climate models. What were once “worst-case” scenarios have now become the “best-case” outcomes we are seeing today.

Our updated climate models, now integrating complex social-ecological factors, show that global temperatures could rise by up to 9°C within this century—far beyond previous predictions of a 4°C rise over the next thousand years. This kind of warming could bring us dangerously close to the “wet-bulb” threshold, where heat and humidity exceed the human body’s ability to cool itself, leading to fatal consequences.

The reality is, we need these so-called climate “skeptics” to remind us just how urgent and critical the climate crisis is becoming. Ironically, their denial helps highlight the importance of decisive action, as climate change continues to spiral out of control.

The window for meaningful intervention is closing, and the need for action has never been more critical.

The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

bookmark_borderEarth’s Vital Signs

Posted on by admin

by Daniel Brouse

Earth
Earth

Human-induced climate change serves as a dynamic and intricate component within an unordered system, guided by chaos theory. This suggests that global warming is undergoing exponential acceleration in a complex manner. The pace at which climate change is accelerating can be described as rapid, as evident in the intensity, duration, and likelihood of climate disasters. Drawing insights from the 2023 Canada wildfires, the World Weather Attribution Organization reported, “Climate change made the cumulative severity of Quebec’s 2023 fire season to the end of July around 50% more intense, and seasons of this severity at least seven times more likely to occur.”

Key Findings: Extreme weather and climate-related disasters have become 50% more intense and 7 times more likely.

In the 20th century, Earth’s surface temperature averaged 13.9℃. However, in the initial weeks of July 2023, the average temperature surged to 17℃. Human activities have propelled global temperatures more than 3℃ for parts of the year, with the entire period from February 2023 to February 2024 registering 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels. A rise of 1.5 degrees already compromises human well-being, making much of the Earth uninhabitable.

As of 2024, humanity has surpassed seven critical tipping points, including Mountain Glacier Loss, Greenland Ice Sheet Collapse, Antarctic Ice Sheet Collapse, AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation) Collapse, Amazon Rainforest Dieback, Coral Reef Die-Off, and Northern Permafrost Collapse. Crossing these tipping points triggers self-sustaining feedback loops independent of human activity. While the exact carbon stored in nature remains uncertain, an assumption could be made that temperatures might surge from 3 to 6 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Thriving beyond a 1.5-degree rise becomes impossible for humans. If an additional 3 degrees Celsius is added, the temperature and humidity would approach a wet-bulb temperature unsuitable for human life.

What Can I Do?
There exist numerous actions individuals can take to contribute to saving the planet. Each person bears the responsibility to minimize pollution, discontinue the use of fossil fuels, reduce consumption, and foster a culture of love and care. The Butterfly Effect illustrates that a small change in one area can lead to significant alterations in conditions anywhere on the globe. Hence, the frequently heard statement that a fluttering butterfly in China can cause a hurricane in the Atlantic. Be a butterfly and influence the world.

The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

bookmark_borderThe Age of Loss and Damage

Posted on by admin

by Daniel Brouse

“For people, for other species, for the ecosystems, for the world we live in, we’ve entered the Age of Loss and Damage, but we’re just at the start. What we are seeing already just makes you want to cry,” said Dr. Christopher Trisos (BBC Interview / MP3 Format) from the University of Cape Town. “We can’t eliminate loss and damage. It is here. That said, there is a lot we can do to limit it.”

The 20th-century surface temperature average for Earth was 13.9℃. In the first weeks of July of 2023, the average temperature was 17℃.
Q: Is it possible for humans to survive at temperatures greater than 3℃?
A: Probably not long. Humans have never done it before.

September 6, 2023: “Climate breakdown has begun,” the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the world after the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported the world endure its hottest Northern Hemisphere summer in human history. “The dog days of summer are not just barking, they are biting,” the UN chief said in a statement after the report’s release.

“What we are observing, are not only new extremes but the persistence of these record-breaking conditions, and the impacts these have on both people and planet, are a clear consequence of the warming of the climate system,” C3S’s Climate Change Service Director Carlo Buontempo said.

Climate Breakdown is the most concerning development. Climate breakdown happens when feedback loops are created and tipping points are crossed. Plants will become extinct and many carbon sinks will vanish. The Earth’s temperature will continue to accelerate at an exponential rate no matter what humans do. Food, fresh water, and breathable air will cease to exist. Humans will likely follow in short order.

In October of 2023, the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Climate Change Service calculated that the average temperature for September was 16.38 degrees Celsius (61.48 degrees Fahrenheit) breaking the previous record set in September 2020 by a half-degree Celsius (0.9 degrees Fahrenheit). This is the largest increase in a monthly record high ever.

“It’s just mind-blowing really,” said Copernicus Director Carlo Buontempo. “Never seen anything like that in any month in our records.”

“This is not a fancy weather statistic. It’s a death sentence for people and ecosystems. It destroys assets, infrastructure, harvest,” Imperial College of London climate scientist Friederike Otto said.

On November 20, 2023, the UN’s Emission Gap Report found even if countries carried out their current emissions-reduction pledges, the world would likely continuously exceed +3C degrees of warming this century. Later that day, the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative released State of the Cryosphere Report 2023 saying, “Two degrees is too high. Our message — the message of the Cryosphere — is that this insanity cannot and must not continue. The melting point of ice pays no attention to rhetoric, only to our actions.”

New Economics

Human induced climate change is an exponential component of an unordered system (chaos theory).

The Age of Loss and Damage is a new way of thinking about economics by combining economics, climate science, statistics, and physics. Until now, economic models have been unfit to capture the full extent of climate damage. Traditionally, “integrated assessment models” (IAMs) were used to forecast “shock” events. IAMs use “quadratic function” to calculate GDP losses by squaring the temperature change, yet ignore other methods (such as the exponential function) that are better suited for rapid change. “Climate change is fundamentally different to other shocks because once it has hit, it doesn’t go away,” said Thierry Philipponnat, author of a report by Finance Watch, a Brussels-based public interest NGO on financial issues. “And if the fundamental assumption is flawed, all the rest makes little sense — if any.”

Reuters reported, “Critics say this (IAMs) choice is doomed to underplay the likely impact – particularly if the planet hits environmental tipping points in which damage is not only irreversible but happens at an ever-accelerating rate.” Thierry Philipponnat’s report, Finance in a Hot House World, concludes: “Climate risk is growing to disruptive levels throughout the financial system and the guardians of financial stability urgently need to adapt their tools to regain control.” The report calls for economic models that do not mislead, scenario analyses that prepare the market, and a new prudential tool to address the build-up of systemic climate risk.

Traditional economics is based upon the “costs and benefits” to society. Since there are no known long-term benefits of climate change to society, the Age of Loss and Damage economics focuses on the exponential costs of climate change to society.

Health and Wellness
Humans will experience greater loss and damage to life and quality of life from air pollution, decreasing supply of potable water, extreme weather events, and disease. The greatest short term climate change risk to human health is deadly humid heat (wet-bulb temperature).

Real Estate and Infrastructure
A warmer world will present widespread challenges across many aspects of food-energy-water security and economic development. Infrastructure including roads, bridges, sewer and water plants will become unsustainable. Personal property will suffer loss and damage as homeowners and flood insurance become increasingly difficult to obtain.

In October of 2023 climate scientist Sidd Mukherjee said, “Now I am thinking the violent rain will be a bigger problem before we die… still thinking it through. In the long run, yes, sea level rise will hit big. If you look at the history, it is episodic, and in the fast bits it can go up 3 feet every twenty years for five hundred years. But, the rain intensity is increasing faster today, and drainage cannot cope, whether in the city or out, culverts and such put in over the last hundred years cannot handle. So, I am paying a lot of attention to terrain and drainage far inland from the seacoast (like Ohio.) By drainage I don’t mean just human built. I mean that the natural streams and gullies and ravines have not evolved to a state that can handle the water volumes we see and the worse, larger volumes we will see. So expect huger erosion, steeper slopes to waterways, land collapses and such. Build out your drainage.”

In the spring of 2023, the USA suspended their national debt ceiling. Included in the debt ceiling suspension is a provision for unlimited emergency federal spending. The result is the government can continue to ignore the causes of climate change and instead give trillion-dollar subsidies to the fossil fuel industry through emergency disaster relief. Yes, another vicious circle — more fossil fuels subsidies result in more climate catastrophes resulting in more fossil fuel subsidies, etc. The end result will be additional trillions in government borrowing while the standard of living declines.

According to NOAA, in 2023 (as of November 8), there have been 25 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect United States. These events included 1 drought event, 2 flooding events, 19 severe storm events, 1 tropical cyclone event, 1 wildfire event, and 1 winter storm event. This is the largest number of climate disasters recorded with a notable increase in extreme precipitation events.

Law Suits
What will create the change needed? Loss and damage litigation against oil companies and governments will change world economics.

The oil industry is going to be like the tobacco industry. The consumers are going to claim they were misled about the dangers of burning fossil fuels and will file lawsuits against the oil companies. You will not be able to buy oil or get insurance at a reasonable price (similar to what happened to cigarette smokers.)

Children have filed lawsuits worldwide against their governments over their basic human rights. A district court judge ruled in Held v. Montana that Montana’s Environmental Policy Act, which prohibits the state from considering the climate impact of proposed energy projects, violates the “right to a clean and healthful environment” promised by the state’s constitution.

Also see: Climate Change: How Long Is “Ever”? / Brouse (2023)

The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

bookmark_borderClimate Denial Part II: Freedom of Speech

Posted on by admin

by Daniel Brouse
Climate Scientist

Climate Denial Part I: A Climate Denier Making a “False Narrative” Political Stand

Climate Denial Part II: Freedom of Speech, Authority, and Regulation

According to an analysis from the Center for American Progress, there are still 139 Republicans in the 117th Congress, including 109 representatives and 30 senators, who refuse to acknowledge the scientific evidence of human-caused climate change. All 139 of these climate-denying Republicans have made recent statements casting doubt on the clear, established scientific consensus that the world is warming—and that human activity is to blame. These same 139 climate-denying Republicans have received more than $61 million in lifetime contributions from the coal, oil, and gas industries.

Michael Bierly asked:
which is worse — the gop denying it or the dems accepting it verbally yet doing nothing about it?

I responded:
Both are equally responsible for this part: “In the spring of 2023, the USA suspended their national debt ceiling. Included in the debt ceiling suspension is a provision for unlimited emergency federal spending. The result is the government can continue to ignore the causes of climate change and instead give trillion-dollar subsidies to the fossil fuel industry through emergency disaster relief. Yes, another vicious circle — more fossil fuels subsidies result in more climate catastrophes resulting in more fossil fuel subsidies, etc. The end result will be additional trillions in government borrowing while the standard of living declines.” — Daniel Brouse

After I asked Darren Wolfe to stop posting climate denial lies on my page, Darren replied:
I guess I’m the world’s first authoritarian libertarian. Anyway, I’m not the one threatening legal action to silence a different POV. Who is the authoritarian now?

Let me repackage what I’ve already posted. Do agree that the Earth goes through natural warming and cooling cycles that have nothing to do with CO2 emissions?

I replied:
No. Not during the existence of humans has the Earth warmed to the levels of July 2023. That’s why I asked you to read my peer reviewed research. You also need to learn the difference between your opinion/point of view and facts. I’m not trying to silence your point of view. I’m trying to silence your dangerous and inaccurate information. What you are doing is equivalent to telling people to ignore the fire alarm in a crowded theater during a fire. So, back to your good question. No. The Earth has never been through a warming cycle like the one caused by burning fossil fuels.

Darren Wolfe:
Ja wohl Herr Gestapoman! You really need a shrink. I’m merely trying to have a discussion with you. Are you really so weak and insecure that you can’t handle respectful disagreement? I will cease and desist because I’m tired of your dogma. You win and freedom of speech loses. I hope you’re happy now.

Daniel Brouse:
No. Freedom of speech wins! Liars lose. This is not a respectful disagreement… this has been an ignoramus making a “false narrative” political stand on a climate scientist’s page.

Oliver Kocher said:
I find there certainly isn’t scientific consensus about catastrophic, human caused climate change, it’s just that those who don’t agree with the agenda are minimized and have their voices silenced. And besides, the idea of “consensus” being the right thing to go by is sketchy at best. Remember when the Copernican theory of the solar system was “consensus” and people were jailed or worse for disagreeing? Or as a more recent example, COVID 19. Consensus certainly wasn’t a sure thing on that, but those who disagreed were threatened, cancelled, and silenced, just to find out a year later that many of them were right, and their very valid concerns were often at least partially correct. So, your claim of consensus is a logical fallacy of “appeal to authority.”

I replied:
Sorry to say, but you are wrong. When you disagree with facts you are not exercising freedom of speech. You are committing fraud or libel. Science has nothing to do with consensus. 1 = 1. Nevertheless, there is also consensus: “A 2021 report by Cornell University found that 99.9% of more than 88,000 climate change studies agree that humans have accelerated the phenomenon, largely due to carbon emissions.” It’s when you use fraudulent consensus like Darren did (in Part I) that you get yourself into legal trouble.

Ken V Kaplan added:
Oliver Kocher, it’s people like you who put people like them in Congress. To compare Copernican theory with CC denial is preposterous. The empirical evidence is incontrovertible that over 90% of Covid deaths once vaccines were introduced (hundreds of thousands) were among the unvaccinated.
Look the frack around and wake up. You live in a developed country that relies on air conditioning. Others aren’t so lucky. People got third degree burns in AZ from the pavement. The new normal is once in a 100 year disasters are now common. And it will get worse.

Oliver Kocher:
So consensus that agrees with you is right, but consensus that disagrees with you is “fraudulent.” Got it. That’s awfully convenient.

Ken V Kaplan:
Oliver Kocher, there is no actual consensus against CC except for deep deniers about man made CC. Your stement is an example of “false equivalence.” Daniel is an expert in this field. What are your credentials?
BTW, look around. What the hell do you think is happening? 100-500 year occurances are now yearly, on every front, hurricanes, fires, droughts, floods, you name it.
People in AZ got frigging third degree burns from the pavement. Without AC the state would be uninhabitable. You can’t get insurance in Fla.
This is just the beginning.

Daniel Brouse:
Oliver Kocher, no. That’s not what I said. I said my research is not based on consensus… our team are the originators of the hypothesis. Since that time we have gone on to prove our hypothesis, as well as, get 80,000 studies to confirm our results. Now our hypothesis has become theory. That means it is fact. It has nothing to do with consensus. Another fact is people need education about politics, economics, and science. Normally this problem would be only of concern to the individual; however, when people spread dangerous, deadly misinformation, it becomes my concern.

Oliver Kocher:
Daniel Brouse, ok. How am I an authoritarian libertarian? That doesn’t even make sense.
In addition, I do not deny that the climate is changing. I question whether that change is caused by human activity, and more specifically, if it is, whether the impact of the US is sufficient to change the course of said climate change. It is part of the nature of climate to change, so no, I’m not a climate change denier, I’m just skeptical of the alleged cause and theorized effects of it.

Daniel Brouse:
An authoritarian libertarian means you insist on your opinion of “freedom of speech”. You are not free to make false scientific claims. I’m not saying you have, but Darren has. You are allowed to say that you are skeptical of whatever you believe. However, if your opinion is wrong about a fact… expressing that opinion makes you a liar, at best.

“Our team are the originators of the hypothesis. Since that time we have gone on to prove our hypothesis, as well as, get 80,000 studies to confirm our results. Now our hypothesis has become theory. That means it is fact.” If you are skeptical of the facts I have presented (and are supported by over 80,000 independent studies), then prove me wrong with your own scientific study. Otherwise, you should learn these new facts… new to you.

FACT: Human induced climate change is an exponential component of an unordered system (chaos theory). That means global warming is accelerating at a rapid rate in a complex way.

What you can do today. How to save the planet.

The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

bookmark_borderClimate Change Case Study: How to Shutdown a Climate Denier

Posted on by admin

by Daniel Brouse
Climate Scientist

Climate Change Case Study:
How to shutdown a climate denier making a “false narrative” political stand

Darren Wolfe is the self-proclaimed “world’s first authoritarian libertarian”

Darren Wolfe
Darren Wolfe

In this study, we show how to prove liars about climate change are lying.

According to an analysis from the Center for American Progress, there are still 139 Republicans in the 117th Congress, including 109 representatives and 30 senators, who refuse to acknowledge the scientific evidence of human-caused climate change. All 139 of these climate-denying Republicans have made recent statements casting doubt on the clear, established scientific consensus that the world is warming—and that human activity is to blame. These same 139 climate-denying Republicans have received more than $61 million in lifetime contributions from the coal, oil, and gas industries.

Darren Wolfe replied: Did human CO2 emissions cause the Medieval Warm Period? How about the Roman Warm Period? Or the Minoan Warm Period? No, they didn’t, just like they aren’t causing the Modern Warm Period now. These are natural cycles the Earth goes through.

I responded:  Wrong. Everything you said is incorrect. I’m a climate scientist. Read my work. This peer reviewed paper addresses your misconception on natural cycles:
Climate Change: How Long Is Ever?

And here is the math if you want to test your knowledge of physics.
Climate Change: Rate of Acceleration

And here is the basic peer reviewed primer (written at an 8th grade level) for help gaining the basic concepts. “Human induced climate change is an exponential component of an unordered system (chaos theory). That means global warming is accelerating at a rapid rate in a complex way.”
Anthropogenic Global Warming: The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

Darren Wolfe replied: I don’t see much but unsubstantiated assertions. There’s no explanation of how CO2 is causing warming. To repeat, the Earth goes through natural warming and cooling cycles. We’re in a warm one now.

The article is wrong about deforestation. Per NASA the Earth is getting greener 
https://www.nasa.gov/…/carbon-dioxide-fertilization…/

Here are 1600 scientists and professionals declaring that there’s no crisis 
https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/

Here’s Greenpeace founder, Patrick Moore on the AGW hoax 
Dr. Patrick Moore– Carbon and Climate Catastrophe

I responded: Are you literate? Do you have an education? Did you read my peer reviewed papers? You have not supplied a single scientific nor peer reviewed paper. Everything you have said is incorrect, ignorant, and arrogant. Sorry, but I do not suffer fools gladly. You are a danger to yourself and others. Seek help. Get educated.

By the way, you face potential legal action for posting the clintel link on my timeline. The “paper” is known to be fraudulent. Shame on you.
Fact check: Did 1,200 climate experts sign viral misinformation?

Darren Wolfe responded: Well Mr Educated, is this how you have a discussion? Insulting people and threatening legal action? You haven’t debunked a single point I’ve made. All you do is appeal to authority. BTW, the government spends $billions on climate research. Guess what side of the debate you have to be on to ride that gravy train. You worship that bought and paid for “consensus” while posting articles critical of people connected to oil companies. Both sides have monetary incentives for what they say. Even the writers of peer reviewed papers and the reviewers too. Try looking at the facts yourself and stop the threats and insults. If you’re not interested in discussions why are you posting?

I replied: You weren’t having a discussion. You were spreading lies and misinformation. And, no… there is no appeal to authority. Everything I’ve said and written is based on my own research. Not opinion. Not belief. Our research has nothing to do with government, money, nor consensus. We are the team that first concluded — “Human induced climate change is an exponential component of an unordered system (chaos theory). That means global warming is accelerating at a rapid rate in a complex way. ” So, you are completely off-base in your false assumptions… as well as your personal authoritarian point-of-view. You have yet to ask an intelligent question. If you want to learn the facts and have a meaningful discussion, why not ask some good questions?

Darren Wolfe responded: I guess I’m the world’s first authoritarian libertarian. Anyway, I’m not the one threatening legal action to silence a different POV. Who is the authoritarian now?
Let me repackage what I’ve already posted. Do you agree that the Earth goes through natural warming and cooling cycles that have nothing to do with CO2 emissions?

I replied: No. Not during the existence of humans has the Earth warmed to the levels of July 2023. That’s why I asked you to read my peer reviewed research. You also need to learn the difference between your opinion/point of view and facts. I’m not trying to silence your point of view. I’m trying to silence your dangerous and inaccurate information. What you are doing is equivalent to telling people to ignore the fire alarm in a crowded theater during a fire. So, back to your good question. No. The Earth has never been through a warming cycle like the one caused by burning fossil fuels. Climate Change: How Long Is Ever?

Darren Wolfe responded: Actually it was warmer thousands of years ago coming out of the last ice age
https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/…/file/4385537/still_forpost.0.jpg

I replied: No. Again, you do not listen nor learn. Instead you post a misleading link… then make statements that are not true — “Actually it was warmer thousands of years ago coming out of the last ice age.” No. It was not. Shame on you. Your point of view is wrong. You should apologize and change your point of view. More importantly, you should not purposely propagate false and misleading information.

Darren Wolfe responded: What are you talking about misleading? Peak temperatures were reached thousands of years ago. Temperatures have been relatively stable since with a slight downward trend:

“By 5000 to 3000 BC average global temperatures reached their maximum level during the Holocene and are estimated by some to be 1 to 2 degrees Celsius warmer than they are today. Climatologists call this period either the Climatic Optimum or the Holocene Optimum.”

ATMO336 – Fall 2016

I replied: You are an idiot. Once again, you provide a bogus link written by a student years ago… and make false statements about it. You are a liar. You are WRONG. Today’s temperatures are 1.5 degrees C higher than they were 3,000 to 5,000 ago. Sit down and shut up. The next lie you post on my timeline will result in action against you. You are causing harm to my work and reputation by knowingly making false and misleading statements. Cease and Desist.

Darren Wolfe responded: Ja wohl Herr Gestapoman! You really need a shrink. I’m merely trying to have a discussion with you. Are you really so weak and insecure that you can’t handle respectful disagreement? I will cease and desist because I’m tired of your dogma. You win and freedom of speech loses. I hope you’re happy now.

I concluded: No. Freedom of speech wins! Liars lose. This is not a respectful disagreement… this has been an ignoramus making a “false narrative” political stand on a climate scientist’s page.

Climate Denial Part II: Freedom of Speech
Climate Denial Part III: The Climate Denier Syndrome

What you can do today. How to save the planet.

The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

bookmark_borderDaniel Brouse: About the Author

Posted on by admin

Q: Any background on membrane .com?

A: In 1994, I started a publishing company with another scientist (low temperature physicist and co-builder of the Ohio States supercomputer). The name of the publishing company is The Philadelphia Spirit Experiment. As the name suggests, it is a scientific experiment in the publishing of arts and science. At the time, domain names were free and the world wide web was 6 months old. We wanted a name that both rhymed and made a good scientific pun — everything passes through the Membrane Domain. The KingArthur.com anti-IQ test launched in 1995.

We were the first record company, fine arts, science, technology, math, and engineering publisher on the web. As such, we were the first to analize web traffic. Our monthly audience is over 300 million. Innovations include: the clickable button on a webpage, MP3 distribution, pay-per-download, free streaming music, the web-based video… and interactive games to save the planet (including a $1,000,000 prize to solve the Anthropogenic Global Warming problem.

My areas of expertise include: musicology, geology, meteorology, anthropology, biology, health & wellness, sociology, security, climate change, physics, finance, economics, statistics, computer science, data science, chaos theory, political science, publishing, logic, and philosophy. In general, my aptitude is in science, technology, engineering, and math.

— Daniel Brouse

bookmark_borderThe Hijacking of the Republican Party

Posted on by admin

Leading up to the Presidential election of 2016, it was obvious the Trump campaign had made a dirty deal with some Russians; however, it was less obvious the deal Trump made with the devil — Evangelical Christians.

In June of 2016, Trump met with several hundred evangelical leaders in New York City. He agreed to advance the movement’s opposition to abortion and LGBTQ rights. Trump embraced “Project Blitz’s” legislative and judicial agenda. Project Blitz is a collection of religious bills written by the Congressional Prayer Caucus. Trump promised to appoint judges that would overthrow Roe V. Wade, defund planned parenthood, eliminate same sex marriages, and allow discrimination of LGBTQ rights.

“PURPOSE:
To protect the free exercise of traditional Judeo-Christian religious values and beliefs in the public square, and to reclaim and properly define the narrative which supports such beliefs.” — Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation, Inc.

Since the election, President Trump has appointed more judges on federal appeals courts than any previous President in modern history. The most notable appointment was Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Al Jazerra reported, “One group had backed Kavanaugh’s nomination from the beginning: The religious right in the US, which is a strategic, highly organized minority that has found itself more powerful than ever under President Donald Trump.”

Under the Trump presidency, non-white and non-Christians have been under attack. The “Travel Ban” targets Muslims. “The Wall” is proposed to keep out “criminals, rapists and drugs.” Wikipedia reports, The Trump administration embraced the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act in August 2017.[23][24] The RAISE Act seeks to reduce levels of legal immigration to the United States by 50% by halving the number of green cards issued. The bill would also impose a cap of 50,000 refugee admissions a year and would end the visa diversity lottery.

The damage Trump has caused to the Republican Party may best be described by Michael Gerson in the Washington Post, “The damage radiates further. Trump evangelicals are blessing the destruction of public norms on civility, decency and the importance of public character.

And the ultimate harm is to the reputation of faith itself. The identification of evangelical Christianity with ethno- ­nationalism and white grievance is a grave matter. Evangelical Christians hardly distinguished themselves during the civil rights movement. Some used Christian academies as a cover for continued segregation. Getting this issue wrong again would be particularly damning in a nation — and in Christian churches — growing inexorably more diverse.”

Trump has led the Evangelical Christians in hijacking the Republican Party for their religious agenda.

REFERENCES

Church Of Trump

Transcript: Donald Trump’s closed-door meeting with evangelical leaders

Radical Christian Terrorists and the Zombie Apocalypse

Terror Threats in the USA

Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation, Inc.: Project Blitz

Trump evangelicals have sold their souls

bookmark_borderWooten Words Of Wisdom

Posted on by admin

On March 4, 2017, Victor Wooten gave a “free to the public” seminar in King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

 

 

Feel

Like a child speaking… learning to communicate in English… how many hours a day did you practice?

If you are playing bass, you are the rhythm. You need time. Listening to timing is more important than techniques, notes and scales. There is no such thing as a wrong note.

Victor was born the youngest of five brothers. The brothers already had a band — guitar, sax, drums and keys — but, they needed a bass player. Victor first learned to play. His brothers encouraged him to just play. Later, he taught himself how to play bass on a four-string guitar.

A question was asked, “I teach music to K-5… how can I teach the children to improvise?”
A: Have them try to play the wrong notes.

Karl McWherter and Victor Wooten
Karl McWherter and Victor Wooten

Brad Rau:
What an amazing gift the universe gave me for my birthday. I got the Jason Vieaux a few weeks ago and now Victor Wooten. At one point Victor without looking asked someone to turn any string they wanted out of tune. The he jumped right into playing (be myself by sly) quickly realized the G was tuned down a whole step and starting playing the line up two frets so he ended up playing in tune. They tuned back to normal without missing a beat. You had to be there.


Karl McWherter Photography at The Ardmore Music Hall