Clean Coal Breakthrough

What's An Expert Anyway?

     "I'm not a scientist, but..." I have heard that so much in the past year it make me want to pull my nose hair out with a pair of salad tongs. If you hear someone say that, chances are you are about to hear something extremely ignorant and incredibly stupid. If I hear one more politician weigh in on scientific debate with that opening line of bullshit, without actually consulting a scientist, I think I'll get an aneurysm.

     People go around saying things like "I'm no expert, but I think physics is a bunch of shit," all the time these days. It continues a long tradition of ridiculing new ideas in order to maintain the status quo. The Earth is round? Off with his head! The Earth is NOT the center of the Universe? Take away that man's telescope! Jesus died for our sins? Cool! Let's live like there are no consequences! Humans have a unique talent to ignore the obvious and make up the most farcical arguments out of fear.

     What else could we say to show our ignorance in the face of fact? Imagine what our world would be like if we could just dismiss logic and reason? Here you go...feel free to share the ones you think of in the comments.

     "I'm not a teacher, but math isn't important."
     "I'm not an auto mechanic, but black smoke pouring out from under the hood is normal."
     "I'm not a rocket scientist, but it isn't that hard to fly to Mars."
     "I'm not a doctor, but AIDS isn't that dangerous."
     "I'm not a pilot, but flying a fighter jet is simple."
     "I'm not a soldier, but combat isn't dangerous."
     "I'm not an architect, but I don't see why buildings need a foundation."
     "I'm not a woman, but birthing a child is a piece of cake."
     "I'm not a writer, but punctuation doesn't really matter."
     "I'm not a computer programmer, but binary isn't necessary."
     "I'm not a musician, but writing your own music is a waste of time."
     "I'm not a psychiatrist, but bi-polar isn't a real thing."
     "I'm not a farmer, but that's an easy job."
     "I'm not an Ice Road Trucker, but driving across a frozen lake is the safest job in the world."
     "I'm not an engineer, but how hard can it be to design a bridge?"
     "I'm not a lawyer, but killing unarmed black men isn't illegal."


   

Climate Reality Monday

     Watch this video with Climate Reality Leader Diwkar Reddy, where he details the steps he has taken with sustainability to fight Climate Change. Happy Monday!

Friday's Review

     Hope you have all enjoyed your week. I decided for today I would share some articles that I read over the past few days. Feel free to peruse them while you work hard at not working on this 5th day of December.

     First up is the article from Business Insider that details how the US could cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions by up to 80% by 2050 with little or no effect on the economy. Yes, its true. The science and the dollars work on this. So plant a tree, by a Volt and read this article.

     Second up is an article from the Washington Post that outlines the major differences between traditional Republicans and Tea Partiers when it comes to science. Very interesting and telling, if you ask me. If you're a Tea Partier, accept the latest scientific theories, acknowledge the existence of Climate Change and like my blog...you're in the wrong political party. Just saying'. Its a pretty eye opening piece, which you can read here.

     The last one I want to share comes from the Mother Nature Network. Apparently, graphene membranes are so awesome, they can be used to line Hydrogen Fuel Cells. Which would make it possible, if not practical, to suck the free hydrogen out of the air to power your car. Oi? What Oil? Graphene membranes are the future. 

     This whole Climate Conversation is always so dour and dark. So today I am sharing some positives. Enjoy your weekend.