If that MIT guy wanted to discuss his scientific observations which
indicate that either global warming is not happening, or is totally
unconnected to man's activities, that would have been fine. I would have
been quite interested to read them, because I've been asking for such info
a long time.


RCE wrote:
It's part of the culture of academia debates. When some PhD presents a
paper outlining a particular theory, it is usually attacked with vengeance
by he's or her peers.

Sure. It's part of the "publish-or-perish" world. Especially
as grad students proliferate and grant money dries up... the
competition is leading a shark mentality... in some fields
it's been that way for years.

... The critics are not required to prove otherwise or
offer an opposing theory, but just to identify the flaws in the publisher's
theory or method of investigation, thus negating it's value. Crazy, but it
is a self-policing system that works in their circles.


It's not a perfect system, but it does lead to the honing of
a number of new concepts & good ideas, new technology, etc
etc. It's generally not considered part of the this game to
talk politics or bring in personalities (some people can't
help it though).

Some years ago I did a good bit of research & writing and
had it all stolen for publication. Didn't make a big splash
but it fed the machine.

DSK