Now, the Klimazwiebel is for two months in operation. On February 7, we had almost 59, 000 clicks and almost 100 postings.
It seems we are the only blog focussing on climate issues with a writing team made up of both natural science and social/cultural science contributors. It seems that we have maintained a relatively civilized way of communication, with only little ranting; hardly no need to remove contributions (when they are insuilting or have no relevance for the issues discussed). Indeed, I hope that the frequency of "Anonymous" showing up, spitting out a categorial often stupid statement, will further descrease. That some people prefer to not give their regular name, I have understanding for. But, please use an alias, so that we others are able to recognize your different statements.
For me the Hegerl-bet was a highlight. Who will win the bet will not be decisive for the climate debate, but it adds a sportive element to the debate; indicates a willingness to deal with opposing opinions in an friendly manner.
We know also a bit more about the crowd participating - likely, the majority of us are Wissenschaftler, most are Europeans, about 40% Germans. I will continue the surveys among the participants (admitting that the results are not representative) - and ask in the next round from which disciplinary background people are coming. If among you readers there are suggestions for other questions, please let me know.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
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17 comments:
Why a highligt? - Because it was a light-hearted event, openminded, friendly.
sorry, I just wanted to add something to my comment and deleted it. My question was why the climate bet was a highlight. Is it a reminiscence to the Rahmstorf / Latif bet, or is it part of the culture of climate professionals to bet on future climates?
Answer is in 1. No reference to Latif or Rahmstorf. Totally innocent and naive pleasure.
Thanks.
'Beware of the climate scientist!' - 'Don't worry, he just wants to play' -:)
Light-hearted indeed! James Annan already poked a bit of fun, noting he's got a $10,000 bet...
http://julesandjames.blogspot.com/2005/08/bet.html
@5
well, I forgot to mention that the bottle of wine would be personally delivered by Claudia Schieffer, and that she would read selected paragraphs of Pachaurie's last book while the winner drinks the wine.
Sorry for that, the bet is now closed
Claudia Schiffer!
Too bad I have to wait until 2019.
She (and I) will be much older by then.
Not to worry though. I'm sure once I'm finished the bottle, my perception of her will be fine.
Huh, temperature's rising, eh? Do you really have to share your sexist fantasies in a public blog? I know that you are tough guys, so just calm down and discuss your climate statistics, won't you?
@P Gosselin:
Notice the sneajy 'spelling error' in eduardo's reply? Expect Claudia Schieffer to be the grandmother of one of his students!
Marco,
These climate scientists...you really have got to be careful with them! :=)
He got that one past me, I admit.
Hmmmm....I think I have to go back and look at the wording of the bet to see if there's other riff-raff in there too.
@10
Not the grandmother. CS is the grandfather, so that we are gender-neutral, as Werner wished
Suggestion: A bit more climate science on the zwiebel or is that a tabu on a climate blogg?
That reminds me of catholic birth control. The only thing they never talk about is sex.
@old folks
don't worry, no need for castration fear. Maybe you have not heard of, but to be non-sexist does not automatically mean to be gender neutral.
Anyway, it is interesting to observe this atmosphere of a gentleman's club with talk about booze, blondes and bets. It fits well, I guess, in a world that is almost exclusively male, with big men one is dependent on, with strong male rivalries and the overall atmosphere of a schoolyard (my daddy is stronger than your daddy!). And, of course, in the gentleman's club finally even rivals (skeptics - non skeptics) can talk to each other.
What about this one: Isn't climate just another bitch? As unpredictable as only women can be? You can bet! Let's have another drink, folks!
@13
Werner,
did you notice that most of the characters in the East Anglia emails are men ? Perhaps that was the whole problem
what does a sociologist say to that?
Just kidding.. perhaps 'cultural studies' would argue that global climate models represent the male drive to encompass everything and regional models the female drive to know everything in local their surroundings? do we have more male global modelers and more female regional modelers? I think in Hamburg we do!
"Mathematics is macho. When you can say something about the nature of objects in the universe by using intangible numbers only and everyone takes it as truth, that is machismo."
We are not there yet (the "everyone taking it as truth" is still missing, so try harder, macho men!)
Reiner wrote
'Mathematics is macho. When you can say something about the nature of objects in the universe by using intangible numbers only and everyone takes it as truth, that is machismo'
like 'my climate sensitivity is larger than you thought' ? Perhaps there is a gender aspect there as well.
Some concluding remarks:
1) It is interesting to see that critique of sexism is answered with even more sexual jokes (in German they are called 'Herrenwitze').
2) I think it is true that climate science is in large parts a classical 'Männerbund', that is, a predominantly white male organization with male rituals. Its range covers the area between world policy (I.P.C.C.) and the strip club. Eduardo and P Gosselin sketched this nicely in their fantasies that bring together Pachauri and Claudia Schiffer.
3) In this milieu, reactions to cultural studies and especially gender studies are frequently hysterical.
4) By the way, gender studies are not primarily about debunking sexism and sexists; instead, they are an interesting approach to analyse the networks and power relations inside climate science and between scientists (or other people) and climate.
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