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Other Topics => Off Topic Discussion => Topic started by: Scott on April 30, 2007, 09:13:43 PM



Title: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Scott on April 30, 2007, 09:13:43 PM
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH (2006) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497116/) - This was actually an interesting film about Global Warming. Al Gore educates us on the issue of Global Warming. He was just as dull as he was when running for president, but he hits some very good points in the docu-movie. Two of the points that caught my attention were the before and after shots of many glaciers from around the world from 30 years ago and how the recent charts show that this isn't just a weather cycle, but rather their have never been these type increases in 65,000 years like we are seeing today. Al Gore covers all the bases on the subject. He leaves us with some hope that we can change things politically, but I personally can't see it happening without a one world government. Saw this film at a local community college for free.

 :thumbup: (7 out of 10 Stars) I don't see anyone intelligently refuting the scientific data presented in the film.

(http://www.umich.edu/~urecord/0506/Oct31_05/img/051031_Gore.jpg)


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Ash on April 30, 2007, 09:23:36 PM
I don't see anyone intelligently refuting the scientific data presented in the film.


Roger Ebert agrees with you...
Read this (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060601/REVIEWS/60517002/1023)

I've been wanting to see this for some time now.
I might have to rent it next time I'm at the video store.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: flackbait on April 30, 2007, 09:28:32 PM
Quote
He was just as dull as he was when running for president
What do you mean dull?
if you mean that he talks through this movie in a monotone PLEASE tell me because I'm going to be watching this in my environmental issues class very soon and I really don't want to inadvertently nap in my 4th hour.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Scott on May 01, 2007, 12:38:11 PM
Al Gore almost seemed like a wax figure talking about Global Warming and it was rather amusing so don't let that hold you back from watching this film Flackbait. The film is very good. Most of it you've heard before, but the images of the glaciers and the charts he shows will blow you away. The rest about Al Gores story is on the wierd side and you may even enjoy those parts.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: DodgingGrunge on May 01, 2007, 01:47:17 PM
I don't see anyone intelligently refuting the scientific data presented in the film.

I respect Al Gore's composure and intentions, however his film doesn't actually present any scientific data in its original form; everything is manipulated into statistics and graphs.  Obviously there is no entertaining way to present the numerous data behind a statistic, but one must always take into account the subjectivity behind the processes of analysis.  As anyone could recognize from presidential campaign polls, deviation is inevitable and the result of the predisposition (or limitations) of the statistician.

The debate over global warming isn't over the actual "warming" part, but its catalyst(s).  Al Gore presented a myriad of figures showing that temperatures are unquestionably rising, but he was not in a position to prove the cause; his conclusions were merely speculation.  This is similar to the glass half-full/half-empty cliché.  The other side of the debate, which isn't adequately covered in An Inconvenient Truth, is that the data is caused by naturally occurring phenomena.  A paleoclimatologist would be quick to point to periods where most of the earth's surface was covered in desert (as in the Permian/Triassic), or periods where oxygen content was about 40% higher than it is today (as in the Carboniferous), or numerous periods of global cooling (pick your ice age).  In short, change is inevitable and constant.  In fact we are currently receding from a minor ice age.  Another potential non-human culprit lies in the vast amounts of carbon dioxide "trapped" in water molecules at the bottom of the ocean.  The unique binding properties of water allow for the encapsulation of various gases, however disruptions such as tremors can break the shackles and release massive quantities of the imprisoned gases into the atmosphere, altering, among other things, global temperatures.  Michael J. Benton cites this as a contributory cause of the end-Permian mass extinction event in his book When Life Nearly Died.

In short, all intelligent people *should* refute the conclusions of *any* source of information.  That is how progress is made.  If, however, said person arrives at the same conclusion, great!  That person will understand the issue far better for it!


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Scott on May 01, 2007, 02:02:00 PM
DodgingGrunge,

Nice post. What did you think of that giant "spike" on the chart based on ice samples. I think they measured 65,000 years. It seems that this one isn't a simple cycle according to the film.

Scott


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: DodgingGrunge on May 01, 2007, 02:38:59 PM
Nice post.

Why thank you!  Haha.

What did you think of that giant "spike" on the chart based on ice samples. I think they measured 65,000 years. It seems that this one isn't a simple cycle according to the film.

As you may have guessed, I'm skeptical on blaming humans (industry) for global warming.  Quite frankly, I just don't think we are that clever or prominent.  When one takes into consideration the approximate age of our planet (4.5 billion years), 65,000 years doesn't account for much (.0014%).  The earth has cycles on all sorts of scales.  They range from hours (marking the passing of days) to tens of millions of years (things like extinction events, etc).  If we were to focus on a period of 65,000 years at the end of the Cretaceous period (directly following the K/T Event), we'd be justified in saying that dinosaurs polluted themselves to extinction.  But this statement is rendered moot if we expand the scope of our observational data.

Now I do not mean to say that scientists know everything there is to know about the evolution of our planet.  As Al Gore pointed out, continental drift wasn't widely acknowledged as recently as half a century ago.  In fact, the two leading branches of physics (the standard model and general relativity) are in conflict with each other!  I just felt it was important to raise an objection to blindly believing a conclusion opined in response to data.

If I were to say that the murder rate in Oakland, CA has increased X% over the past year, that, in and of itself, would be irrefutable.  However if I was to continue in citing the primary cause as violent video games, you'd be under no obligation to agree with me.  You may conclude that crime is rising due to perpetually mismanaged city financing.  We could argue the merits of our conclusions for all time and neither of us would be any "righter" or "wronger".

Science is not a democratic process.  The very existence of a debate (among actual scientists) means that no substantial experimental data exists to justify (or even disprove) the conclusions being drawn.  Our understanding will inevitably grow with time and eventually carefully orchestrated experiments will begin to narrow the list of potential factors.  And the final factor(s), however unfavorable (or inconvenient) they might be, will have to be accepted as truth. 


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Doc Daneeka on May 01, 2007, 04:14:07 PM
Why is this in "Off topic" and not bad or good movies?


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: rebel_1812 on May 01, 2007, 04:14:16 PM
I just felt it was important to raise an objection to blindly believing a conclusion opined in response to data.

very good sentiment!


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: DodgingGrunge on May 01, 2007, 04:52:22 PM
Why is this in "Off topic" and not bad or good movies?

I believe this is more on the topic of the environmental implications raised by An Inconvenient Truth than the film itself, so it doesn't really qualify as a good/bad movie thread.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: flackbait on May 01, 2007, 07:14:15 PM
Your right Scott Gore does seem like a wax figure and like you said this is a rather good documentary.
It sure beats hearing my teacher lecture all hour as usual.

To DodgingGrunge
Keep in mind it is a well known fact that cars, factories etc. emit Co2 and we have been using these things constantly worldwide for the last 100 years. Also keep in mind that we have cut down millions of acres of trees in the last 150 years. So this means there are less trees to absorb Co2 and convert it to oxygen. And as you know the greenhouse effect is caused by Co2 in our atmosphere. So wouldn't Co2 emissions from cars, factories etc. contribute to the greenhouse effect cycle or not?


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: DodgingGrunge on May 01, 2007, 08:23:15 PM
To DodgingGrunge
...keep in mind that we have cut down millions of acres of trees in the last 150 years. So this means there are less trees to absorb Co2 and convert it to oxygen. And as you know the greenhouse effect is caused by Co2 in our atmosphere. So wouldn't Co2 emissions from cars, factories etc. contribute to the greenhouse effect cycle or not?


CO and CO2 are unleashed by many, many monsters of mankind, certainly!  Cars, factories, appliances, cigarettes.  Heck, every time you exhale you are contributing.  But the world is a very, very large place.  The best estimates we can make seem to suggest that we account for roughly 2.8 - 3.4% of CO2 annually released into the atmosphere.  There's a good visual of CO2 sources here: http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg1/fig3-1.htm (http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg1/fig3-1.htm) .  But our CO2 generation in a discussion on world climates is moot for a number of reasons.  First of all, CO2 contributes less than half a percent (~0.38%) of the total gaseous material that collectively give us the "Greenhouse Effect" (90% is water, water vapor, etc).  Secondly, the warming properties of radiation absorbed by CO2 is logarithmically calculated, meaning the power of each part depreciates as more parts per volume (ppv) are added.  And significantly at that.  Levels of CO2 in the atmosphere prior to the Industrial Revolution are cited as being about 280 parts per million of volume (ppmv).  To give you some perspective, *half* of the heating properties of that gas were generated by the first 20ppmv!  The other 260ppmv were required to generate the second half.  In other words, it'll take a ridiculous amount of CO2 on top of that mixture to make any meaningful change to global temperatures.  If you wanted to, say, double the warmth generated by CO2 from pre-Industrial War levels, you'd need about 90,000ppmv in the atmosphere!  Of course, the level at which CO2 becomes toxic to humans is only 6,000ppmv so we'd never live to see it.  :)  OK, I'll drop it at a third point: CO2 is *essential* to the global food chain.  Because of moderately increased levels of CO2 (and subsequent aerial fertilization), crop yields have increased between 13-15% since 1950.  This is a *good* thing!

It is also worth pointing out that trees are a renewable resource.  In fact, just like potatoes and cows, we grow trees specifically to be used for things like paper.  Today we have 3x as many trees as we did in 1920.

Flackbait,
Isn't discussion fun?  How did your class respond to the film?


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Scott on May 02, 2007, 08:16:06 AM
On the subject of global dimming I'd like to mention that on 9-11 with all the planes out of the air the skies cleared up remarkably for just one day.

Also that it is said that volcano's make more pollution than people.

Perhaps its the constant daily pollution that blocks sun light that effects the environment. It's not that we can't have cars, jets, and factories, but perhaps these things could be used in intervals instead of daily operations along with modifying technologies to clean it up. For instance I set my lawn sprinklers for every odd day instead of everyday.

Still I believe a One World Government can only do this.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Derf on May 02, 2007, 08:51:50 AM
Like DodgingGrunge, I'm something of a skeptic concerning the causes behind the current climate change "crisis." Gore quite obviously politicized his data to "prove" his conclusion that mankind is the cause. However, there is also significant climate change occurring currently on Mars. Are those little solar-powered rovers the cause of that?

I will have to go with my strengths (as an English instructor, I know how to argue) since I do not have the scientific background that DodgingGrunge seems to have (or at least the interest in physics that he seems to have). That said, the argument that humans are the main cause of climate change has too many holes to be taken at face value. The earth is very old. We have records of climate data going back only a very short time, relatively speaking. That data, in my mind is somewhat questionable: How accurate were the instruments used to measure temperature and other weather-related data 100 years ago? 200 years? 300 years? What time of day were the data recorded? Over what kind of surface (It will get much hotter over a paved or sandy surface than over a grassy one)? These questions begin to show some of my doubts. There are others.

I have learned to never take a one-sided argument at face value; particularly one that is presented by a politician, since by profession politicians take stances and try to persuade others to adopt that stance. I do believe that we should take care of our environment (as a comedian once said, "Even a dog knows not to go where it drinks," and a dog will eat cat dung and lick its own behind). We are responsible for taking care of the things around us, be they plant, animal, house, town, state or country. However, alarmist tactics such as Gore's "documentary" have to be taken with a grain of salt, whatever political ideals you might have.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Scott on May 02, 2007, 11:35:23 AM
Generally I don't believe much of any news and info that we are fed by the networks, but for arguements sake we must have something to talk and exercise our opinions and beliefs about  :smile:.

There are vast areas of this planet that appear untouched, but I do believe the parasite we call humanity is causing an effect on the planet. We are raping the planet. Yes, we can plant new trees and recycle, but there are just to many people living on the planet.

As for me politically I'm so far left that I often seem like a right-wing extremist and I have no problem voting Republican because they aren't as wishy-washy as the Democrats. Politics is nothing more than a pro wrestling arguement promoting their next big politcal match up and the outcome is already predetermined by big money. It's all for the consumption of the masses to make us believe we are making a difference. Truthfully there are no existing political parties that represent my views, nor do they come close, but it's a good excercise for the mind anyway. Their are many layers to everything including truth. When we speak we usually are speaking from only one layer at a time and truth is never found. Right now the gap is to far to bridge and people mis-understand.

Anyone remember the old Native American "Keep America Beautiful" commercials back in the 70's? Global warming is either the biggest hoax or we are in big trouble. It's kinda like an unbeliever thinking of the monotheistic God and salvation's "what if it's true" question and the only way to find out is to go to the other side. Time will tell.

(http://newyorkette.com/wp-content/ironeyescody_450.jpg)


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: rebel_1812 on May 02, 2007, 12:35:06 PM
Still I believe a One World Government can only do this.

I usually don't have a problem with people who believe global warming is man made or those who don't.  I do have a problem with the proposed solutions to the global warming problem.  Most of the proposed solutions won't help in the least bit even if global warming is man made.  Seems obvious that if carbon dioxide from fossil fuels is the problem then the solution is to change our energy source to hydrogen, solar or nuclear sources.

Instead the proposed solutions are things like mandatory changing our light bulbs to energy efficient ones(just passed here in Canada).  That in no way solves the problem.  Less fossil fuels may be burned, but that just means it will be burned the next day.  If the energy source is the problem efficiency will not be the solution, it will just prolong things.

Moreover, carbon credits/taxes also will not solve the problem since its aim is also to reduce the amount of energy we use.  But the amount of energy use isn't the problem its the way you use it.  If we used a small amount of fossil fuels every year until the supply ran out, versus an extremely high amount over a shorter time span until it ran out the amount of CO2 released would be the same.  Real solutions can't just reduce the energy use, since that CO2 will be released later unless the energy sources are changed.

Which brings me to the next point, what do these so called 'solutions' cost?  Carbon credits/taxes will cost everyone more money, for the poor it will mean you are not allowed to drive cars (or other things that will now be beyond your price point).  Such a cost is not acceptable considering it doesn't even solve the problem.  Same thing with the light bulbs or other energy efficient strategies which take away freedoms and can lead to fines or imprisonment for solutions that don't even address the problem.  Lastly, 'one world government' would cost both sovereignty and  freedom, and it is unclear how this would address the problem of changing energy sources.  If we look at all the problems with governments or regimes throughtout history, one salient fact becomes clear more power makes them worse not better.  One world government would not be a Utopia, as governments or people getting more powerful they inevitably get corrupt.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Scott on May 02, 2007, 01:40:09 PM
One world government is a "scary" thing without a goal and a new kind of democracy to guide it. A goal would rule not a man(or woman). With even todays technology/communications we don't need the current form of democracy and with a one world government mankind could truly experiment with freedom without being hampered by borderlines and national economics. The only thing we need is someone with the guts to topple the big money people and bring us into the new era.

Current world economics and political election monies are not necessary in our day. You don't need people to represent us in Washington. The days of the horse and buggy are past us. With todays communications you don't need to elect some bozo to run to Washington and do the opposite of what you elected him/her to do. A new politcal course is ahead.

Well.....it should be ahead  :smile:.

Ah, what does it matter? They have it all tied up with their secret weapons. We don't have a chance  :smile:.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: rebel_1812 on May 02, 2007, 02:27:17 PM
First off, there was not a rebuttal to my claim that the 'solutions' are not really solutions.  Thus the cost of these 'solutions' harm people and do not help them.  Likewise there was no response to my historical based claim that as the power and size of governments/states has grown so too has corruption, war and in general authoritative evil.  The conclusion of the preceding premises is that a world government would more corrupt and evil then current government and would not address the solution (changing energy sources).  From my argument, it is something bad that should be avoided.  Unless you rephrased what is meant by "one world government"...

Which leads to my next point, i don't properly understand what you mean by one world government.  Perhaps the problem is my humble self, but here is what I can understand by your own words.

One world government is a "scary" thing without a goal and a new kind of democracy to guide it. A goal would rule not a man(or woman).

I assume the goal you had in mind was global warming, which as stated previously only requires a change in energy source to correct (for those that believe it).  However, this goal doesn't 'rule' people.  That I don't understand.  If it is this purpose that guides this Leviathan, then that purpose would rule over people indirectly threw that Leviathan.  Correct me if my interpretation is wrong.

You don't need people to represent us in Washington. The days of the horse and buggy are past us. With todays communications you don't need to elect some bozo to run to Washington and do the opposite of what you elected him/her to do.

every government or authority has people running it.  The opposite is anarchy, which isn't that bad of a thing; but is the opposite of a government.  I'm sure my understand of this is probably wrong, if there is no people running it, then it is anarchy, and if there are it must be in a different role then currently defined. 

 Of this much I'm sure, so long as there are people and they have access to kind of power a world government would provide; they would soon become corrupt.  Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.  All those 'big money people' will surely try to influence those powerful few as well.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but my contentions seem to be remain inviolate, global warming solutions do not address the real problem, which is energy sources; but they do cause real harms in peoples lives like the tremendous loss of freedom a "one world government" would entail.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: flackbait on May 02, 2007, 02:57:13 PM
Quote
Isn't discussion fun?
It beats screaming at each other.

Quote
How did your class respond to the film?
They seem to agree with it, at least somewhat. Which is weird because I live in one of the most republican towns in Michigan.




Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Scott on May 02, 2007, 04:17:56 PM
First off, there was not a rebuttal to my claim that the 'solutions' are not really solutions.  Thus the cost of these 'solutions' harm people and do not help them.  Likewise there was no response to my historical based claim that as the power and size of governments/states has grown so too has corruption, war and in general authoritative evil.  The conclusion of the preceding premises is that a world government would more corrupt and evil then current government and would not address the solution (changing energy sources).  From my argument, it is something bad that should be avoided.  Unless you rephrased what is meant by "one world government"...

Which leads to my next point, i don't properly understand what you mean by one world government.  Perhaps the problem is my humble self, but here is what I can understand by your own words.

One world government is a "scary" thing without a goal and a new kind of democracy to guide it. A goal would rule not a man(or woman).

I assume the goal you had in mind was global warming, which as stated previously only requires a change in energy source to correct (for those that believe it).  However, this goal doesn't 'rule' people.  That I don't understand.  If it is this purpose that guides this Leviathan, then that purpose would rule over people indirectly threw that Leviathan.  Correct me if my interpretation is wrong.

You don't need people to represent us in Washington. The days of the horse and buggy are past us. With todays communications you don't need to elect some bozo to run to Washington and do the opposite of what you elected him/her to do.

every government or authority has people running it.  The opposite is anarchy, which isn't that bad of a thing; but is the opposite of a government.  I'm sure my understand of this is probably wrong, if there is no people running it, then it is anarchy, and if there are it must be in a different role then currently defined. 

 Of this much I'm sure, so long as there are people and they have access to kind of power a world government would provide; they would soon become corrupt.  Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.  All those 'big money people' will surely try to influence those powerful few as well.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but my contentions seem to be remain inviolate, global warming solutions do not address the real problem, which is energy sources; but they do cause real harms in peoples lives like the tremendous loss of freedom a "one world government" would entail.

To be honest global warming isn't my main concern it's just part of a larger desire for change in the world. The movie mearly touches on one aspect that can be a catalyst in proceeding towards a benevolent one world government. Not the authoritarian type, but rather something unseen as of yet due to individual national interest.

I'm neither here nor there on your argument regarding what is "harmful to people" as your statement only concerns one aspect and level of something much bigger. What I'm trying to say is that you are not wrong about what you or anyone else has said on this off topic film post. From your vantage point you are correct and there is nothing wrong with that. I'll leave this arguement with a karma point for Rebel1812. All points of view are good within themselves. It's when they venture out that they start to dissolve. I'll attempt to write more when I have more time. Don't loose any sleep over it.  :smile:



Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: DodgingGrunge on May 02, 2007, 04:48:37 PM
They seem to agree with it, at least somewhat. Which is weird because I live in one of the most republican towns in Michigan.

Actually, this might be a good time to clarify some terminology.  "Global Warming", "Greenhouse Effect", and "Pollution" are all different concepts.  It seems that the media, and in turn the public, often use them interchangeably, which is what is fueling a lot of the debate.

Global Warming was a term first coined around 1800 to fit a hypothesis of the inverse proportionality between carbon dioxide and ice levels during the previous ice age.  Since about 1970 the term has been altered to mean a global rise in temperature from one period to the next.  Of course, misuse has made this definition about as affective as the word awesome.  :)

Greenhouse Effect is a naturally occurring (and essential to life on earth!) phenomena wherein a hodgepodge of gaseous material in our atmosphere work (sort of like a convection oven) to increase the temperature of our planet.  If there was no Greenhouse Effect, the average temperature on our planet would be about -13C.  As stated previously, CO2 makes up a *very* small portion of this (~.38%) and since its influence is logarithmic, increasing its presence is going to have minimal effects on temperature.

Pollution is the discharge of harmful substances into the environment.  Ecologically speaking, an "environment" is a term referring to all of the air, water, minerals, organisms, and external influences that affect a given organism at a particular moment.  In other words, an environment is a limited region of space of which there are *many*.

It seems that a great deal of material in this thread has to do more with local pollutants than any globally-reaching phenomena.  Which is wonderful, because pollution is a problem!  The air quality of densely populated cities (especially those with particularly staid climates like Mexico City) is deplorable.  Scott mentioned how much Manhattan had cleared up following a multi-day reprieve from transportation.  It is estimated that as much as 1/3 of the world's population is without a clean water source.  The state of California says it is not safe to eat most kinds of fish any more.  This is pollution, and this is the problem.

The best way to improve a local environment's condition is through the reduction and reuse of its resources.  Those silly curly lightbulbs that are plaguing Canada are a great example, as is Scott's decision to water his lawn every other day.  Heck, even lower emissions on cars are wonderful.  But as rebel_1812 pointed out, these decisions cost money and it is not always economically feasible to implement such programs.  As such, they may cause more harm than good, especially when the goal is misguidedly aimed at something like "global warming."  The Kyoto treaty, for example, has (at the time of this post), cost the equivalent of $331,055,976,514 USD and, if successful, will decrease global temperatures by .003433174C by the year 2050.

What this boils down to is the importance of self education.  When something piques your interest, like An Inconvenient Truth or a debate on Creation Science, use that as a starting point but take the time (if you can) to ask yourself a few questions and find the answers.  "Is what this person is saying true?"  "Why would this person say this?"  "What other explanations could there be?"  Things along those lines.  It is critical thought that allows mankind to progress in its understanding of the universe and it is blind acceptance that keep us in our places.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: flackbait on May 02, 2007, 08:30:00 PM
Sorry DodgingGrunge, I probably should have worded this differently.
What I meant was that they were agreeing with Gore's call to action over this subject.
My class is fully aware of the differnces between these terms, although some people might not so it still helps to define these terms for others.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: DodgingGrunge on May 02, 2007, 09:26:35 PM
Sorry DodgingGrunge, I probably should have worded this differently.

Flackbait:

No worries.  Actually, I understood your statement perfectly and had meant to use it as a transition into the rocky relationship between economy and ecology ("republican [town]", etc).  But I forgot.  Haha.   :drink:  And instead I expanded on the importance of resource conservation mentioned by Scott and Rebel.  My mind wanders down too many avenues sometimes...

Anyhoo, great comments all around people!  But to really learn something, I think we should all break and watch C.H.U.D.   :tongueout:


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: rebel_1812 on May 02, 2007, 11:27:41 PM
agreed


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Scott on May 08, 2007, 10:28:34 AM
Scott mentioned how much Manhattan had cleared up following a multi-day reprieve from transportation.
 
Not only Manhatten, but the whole country had clear skies that day. Minus dispersed airline fuel trails that cause heavy global dimming.

The best way to improve a local environment's condition is through the reduction and reuse of its resources.  Those silly curly lightbulbs that are plaguing Canada are a great example, as is Scott's decision to water his lawn every other day.  Heck, even lower emissions on cars are wonderful. 

Not only lawns, but industry worldwide can be shut down to let the dust settle on a regular basis. Industry and travel can be shut down for whole weeks at a time with a one world government, except for basic items like food, but even that can be put in check at local levels and storage.

A one world government will happen in time. Cost won't be an issue. Shared work and access must be the way to go. No more motivation by weak monetary impulses that enslave us. A superior man(woman) is one who moves based on and towards a universal goal. A new kind of democracy to lead us and new freedoms to be experienced. A goal would rule and man would only be a facilitator. One elected office working towards one goal. With communication there is no need for large financial fund raising and special interest groups. The goal would rule and only the how would be decided upon.

Global Warming true or untrue is something to be concerned about simply because nobody really knows the cause and effect. That in itself should raise a caution flag to the world. Having said that I will make note that global warming reduction isn't the ultimate goal. It's simply just one of many reasons for change in the world.

Capitalism is a good means by which to take over the world and can be used as a tool, but Capitalism isn't  the goal and it can be discarded at the most convenient time when everything is in order. Capitalism and it's associated rules are only a mechanism to gain personal power. Mankind must find another way to motivate itself. Beyond individual interest. They must find pleasure in the whole.

Capitalism can be used to make things better, but it's the jump in technology that will get us off the planet. Capitalism can hinder this process in the end.

When all people eventually become one flesh, borders come down, monetary motivation ends, and the continuation of human life is advanced by the creative and explored by the courageous then we will all have better meaning in our lives.

The only thing left to deal with is people with bad attitudes. Everything is possible amongst the willing. There is freedom within all things. It's all in how you look at it.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: DodgingGrunge on May 09, 2007, 12:58:27 AM
Moving onto one world government...

I don't think there is anything in the annals of human history to suggest that this would be possible.  The larger a given population is, the bigger (and more subdivided) the governing body has to be.  If you have three people living on an island, provided they are on good terms with each other, they could feasibly exist without government at all.  But increase that number to, say 50, and you'll begin to have problems, just like you would in a classroom without a teacher.   So then someone becomes a leader.  Things go well until the population reaches several hundred to 1000 and it suddenly becomes conceivable that you may live a lifetime without ever seeing someone.  Then you'll need a small group of people to inform the populace of laws, and then you'll need someone to enforce those laws.  We can keep scaling this up to similar results.

In theory, communism is a beautiful thing.  However do you honestly believe that the world's population is philosophically advanced enough to simply do something because it has a positive influence on another?  It is hard enough to get people to agree to proper educational funding, let alone issues like welfare, healthcare, etc.  And when you remove monetary incentive from your "societal contribution", resentment through comparison will inevitably follow.  As a pre-eminent neurosurgeon, say, I will inevitably come to question the validity of you, the hotdog vendor.  My hours are longer, my work is more important (not to mention there is more at stake).  You, on the other hand, could show up naked and drunk and perform your function adequately.  While some people are humble enough to accept this, most are not.  This basic division of work is beyond money, mind you.  Time is as much a factor.  And when you have no system of socio-economic variance, free time is really all you have.

Another issue that is often forgotten is the concept of "universal comfort".  It is a system, really, just like wealth.  In a system of one government, with a population living communistically, everyone will be equalized, their comfort (and wealth) averaged.  What most people in western society don't really factor is how radically a global average would reduce their own state of living.  Now me, for example.  I have ended the past five fiscal years beneath the United States "poverty line."  The why's are not relevant, though I assure you it is by my own choosing.  But I am quite comfortable.  In fact, in the US, even a homeless person is quite comfortable (I've been this too) compared with someone living in India, say.  If you were to figure the average income per person across the entire world, you'd end up with a figure somewhere in the ballpark of $1000 per year.  A thousand bucks.  Most people in America pay that monthly just for housing!

You see, our livelihood depends solely on the blood and sweat of un(der)developed nations.  If you rewind the clock and look at America around the Industrial Revolution, you'll notice that the living situations of the factory workers were deplorable.  But through unionization and such, their children moved to middle management-type positions and enjoyed an increase in comfort.  But unionization didn't get rid of those underpaying, overworking jobs.  They just moved overseas.  Now, working conditions aside, what this shows is that economically, we (as humans) have not yet learned to exist without the lower classes.  World government and equal opportunities will only hurt us until we remedy this particular dependence.

Now, if at some point we are able to invent robots to carry out every conceivable task (including robot design and robot manufacture and robot maintenance), then a world government might not be so bad.  Of course, we'll need to castrate 99% of the population to avoid breeding ourselves into oblivion, but that's another can of worms.

I could blather on for eternity, but I'll kindly cut this off here.  :teddyr:


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Scott on May 09, 2007, 12:51:40 PM
I don't think there is anything in the annals of human history to suggest that this would be possible. 
Your correct. There is nothing in the history of the world to compare it to except a microcosim of previous world empires, but they didn't conquer the world. Once all borders are eliminated then there is no major opposition except the terrorist/militia type and that may even be no problem once there are the regulated mass migrations of peoples. Especially when there is an uprising. When you have a one world goverment you can take larger steps towards creating order. Right now goverments have other goverments watching each others actions and nobody dares step on anyones toes.

The larger a given population is, the bigger (and more subdivided) the governing body has to be. If you have three people living on an island, provided they are on good terms with each other, they could feasibly exist without government at all.  But increase that number to, say 50, and you'll begin to have problems, just like you would in a classroom without a teacher.  So then someone becomes a leader.  Things go well until the population reaches several hundred to 1000 and it suddenly becomes conceivable that you may live a lifetime without ever seeing someone.  Then you'll need a small group of people to inform the populace of laws, and then you'll need someone to enforce those laws.  We can keep scaling this up to similar results.
There will be big goverment, but nobody will hold any single position for years at a time. No lifers. Everyone changes positions regulary. You would not have a home as you know it today. Relocation would happen yearly. Mankind would live a more basic life directed towards the goal and the laws that sustain the elected goal.

In theory, communism is a beautiful thing.  However do you honestly believe that the world's population is philosophically advanced enough to simply do something because it has a positive influence on another?
At this moment? No........It will take a religious figure to do this.

It is hard enough to get people to agree to proper educational funding, let alone issues like welfare, healthcare, etc.  And when you remove monetary incentive from your "societal contribution", resentment through comparison will inevitably follow.  As a pre-eminent neurosurgeon, say, I will inevitably come to question the validity of you, the hotdog vendor.  My hours are longer, my work is more important (not to mention there is more at stake).  You, on the other hand, could show up naked and drunk and perform your function adequately.  While some people are humble enough to accept this, most are not.  This basic division of work is beyond money, mind you.  Time is as much a factor.  And when you have no system of socio-economic variance, free time is really all you have.
This is one of the great problems. Who's going to take out the trash and who is going to do the plumbing. All are important. Again we would have the rotation of positions. Everyone will be educated on the basics of human needs so they can work different jobs when their turn comes up. As for neurosurgeons and high end medical care that maybe something of the past that isn't needed anymore with people coming to grips with the natural life cycle again. Meaning we take care of ourselves with preventive medicine instead of eating non-food products and the like. People would realize that they have one body and when it's done it's done. Do you want to live in the body forever?

Another issue that is often forgotten is the concept of "universal comfort".  It is a system, really, just like wealth.  In a system of one government, with a population living communistically, everyone will be equalized, their comfort (and wealth) averaged.  What most people in western society don't really factor is how radically a global average would reduce their own state of living.  Now me, for example.  I have ended the past five fiscal years beneath the United States "poverty line."  The why's are not relevant, though I assure you it is by my own choosing.  But I am quite comfortable.  In fact, in the US, even a homeless person is quite comfortable (I've been this too) compared with someone living in India, say.  If you were to figure the average income per person across the entire world, you'd end up with a figure somewhere in the ballpark of $1000 per year.  A thousand bucks.  Most people in America pay that monthly just for housing!
Comfort levels and the idea of suffering are subject to your mental conditioning. To live without really gives you more freedom. Your only as rich as your mind is creative. Creativity is a major part of the new society. It a birthright directly from the one who created mankind and leisure mind works towards this effect. I've always said that the reason that we haven't developed is due to our creations. One creation stifles more advance creations and thinking just as big business buries great ideas for their own profit. The re-evaluation of ideas and the experimentation of new ones based on populous vote. Ideas would be presented and the more interesting ones would be given goverment support and work force.

You see, our livelihood depends solely on the blood and sweat of un(der)developed nations. 
This is a shame. There is no justice when you take advantage of a country that doesn't have and will never have the resources to ever come out on top unless you manage to finacially pull them out of a hole. The thing is we condition them with our commercials and show them something they can't have. This is suffering.

If you rewind the clock and look at America around the Industrial Revolution, you'll notice that the living situations of the factory workers were deplorable.  But through unionization and such, their children moved to middle management-type positions and enjoyed an increase in comfort.  But unionization didn't get rid of those underpaying, overworking jobs.  They just moved overseas.  Now, working conditions aside, what this shows is that economically, we (as humans) have not yet learned to exist without the lower classes.  World government and equal opportunities will only hurt us until we remedy this particular dependence.
In the new world mankind will learn to live without a lower class. Only one social class educated to fullfill all civil functions.

Now, if at some point we are able to invent robots to carry out every conceivable task (including robot design and robot manufacture and robot maintenance), then a world government might not be so bad. 
Who knows what we really have in regards to technology.

Of course, we'll need to castrate 99% of the population to avoid breeding ourselves into oblivion, but that's another can of worms.
:bouncegiggle: ...................and that's the nicer approach.

I could blather on for eternity, but I'll kindly cut this off here.  :teddyr:
Your comments are very intelligent DodgingGrunge. I have enjoy reading everything you have said.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Scott on May 11, 2007, 04:08:24 PM
News: Report of hotter summers to come by 10 degrees.

http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/nasa-predicts-sizzling-summers-for-east/20070510232009990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001 (http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/nasa-predicts-sizzling-summers-for-east/20070510232009990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001)


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: DodgingGrunge on May 11, 2007, 04:44:03 PM
Well, the computer simulations are premature at best.  Right now our understanding of weather patterns is simply too primitive to make accurate predictions of any kind.  Hence throwing eggs at the weekly weatherman.  And one should always be cautious when reading an article that singles out CO2 emissions as the cause of global temperature increases.  As stated before, CO2 makes up a tiny percentage of the total atmospheric greenhouse gasses and its per-part impact decreases exponentially inversely to its abundance.  CFCs and Methane are far better targets for temperature reduction (the latter of which could be put to use generating power).


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: flackbait on May 12, 2007, 04:29:35 PM
Quote
And one should always be cautious when reading an article that singles out CO2 emissions as the cause of global temperature increases

You also need to be cautious about one that denies that CO2 is the cause and states that global warming is just a natural process. The problem with any news heard from other people is that people alway seem to tweak it just a little bit, or interpret it differently.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: RCMerchant on May 12, 2007, 05:19:04 PM
 A New World Order will never happen,because people have this thing about always wanting to be the on the top. Of everything. Nature.The food chain. Other people. The world is,and always be full of meglomaniacs, and idiots who will follow them...
  I'm not worried about global warming...because if it does happen...we will all die,and the world will adapt to the change...just like the dinosaurs got wiped out by the ice age...so will we...man thinks he is the Alpha and the Omega...he is so wrong. I just hope it's something really cool...like giant insects,and mutant cave people...something wild to watch while my cosmic slop is road- tripping through the universe!  :thumbup:


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: DodgingGrunge on May 12, 2007, 06:11:59 PM
I just hope it's something really cool...like giant insects

Arthropods have several evolutionary ticks (no pun intended) that restrict their size, especially on land.  Their armor is heavy, and their lungs don't force air in and out like ours do; they act instead more like a filter, collecting oxygen that happens into their system.  In the Carboniferous Period, though, oxygen levels were about 35-45% higher than they are today.  There were some freaky creatures:  Meganeura, a dragon fly roughly the size of a bald eagle (as seen in that awful Godzilla movie); Mesothelae, a spider roughly the size of a human head; Arthropleura, a millipede that could grow to 6m in length!


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: DodgingGrunge on May 15, 2007, 11:33:14 AM
The Taj Mahal is succumbing to pollution:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/05/15/india.tajmahal.ap/index.html


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Scott on May 16, 2007, 08:22:15 AM
The Taj Mahal is succumbing to pollution:
[url]http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/05/15/india.tajmahal.ap/index.html[/url]


I just knew this would happen................... :smile:


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Scott on May 16, 2007, 08:44:01 AM
Oh, and they are building Noah's Ark again ! ! !

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8P5ET601&show_article=1 (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8P5ET601&show_article=1)


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: DodgingGrunge on May 17, 2007, 12:03:57 AM
Oh, and they are building Noah's Ark again ! ! !

[url]http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8P5ET601&show_article=1[/url] ([url]http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8P5ET601&show_article=1[/url])


Do you suppose Green Peace just found the wood for their ark?  :teddyr:  Or are they assuming that warmer climates will bring an increase in global forestation?  Haha.


Title: Re: An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Post by: Scott on May 17, 2007, 05:25:40 AM
 :smile: