Really Sciency

Visit my other blog 'Really Sciency' looking at Climate Science and its portrayal, misrepresentation and denial in the media.

Wednesday, 1 December 2010

HOW TO BE A SCEPTIC - Part One

Cherry Picking

“Temperatures in Alaska have plummeted 2.5 degrees since 2004.”

You should always be sceptical of comments like this. You should still be sceptical of comments that say ‘decade’ or ‘century’ but if you see a specific year chosen, a true sceptic should realise that this is likely to be a cherry pick to spread misinformation.
So true sceptics should look at other, perhaps adjacent years to confirm how true the statement stands up. So for example, if it doesn’t hold up for 2000 it should be dismissed for nonsense.

I leave any true sceptics to check that much out for themselves.



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