alexlockwood.net

Censorship or sense? Well, sense actually

Well, that was interesting. My post on the limits to debate on cimate change has generated 40-odd comments so far (modest in the grand scheme, but detailed, and most of which has been useful and instuctive: couple of interesing sites in Devil’s Kitchen and QuestionThat). There were a few personal attacks here and here (and here) and a few more on-topic responses, such as from Sans Pretence.

I’ve actually spent much of the day writing the paper that helped stimulate the blog post, assessing the influence of online on public perceptions of climate change. So to all those who have commented, and provided further links and thoughts, thanks. More »

Tags: censorship, climate change, GGWS, Ofcom, regulation

C4 Mykura’s half-right contradiction on climate change

Hamish Mykura, Channel 4’s head of documentaries, has published his reply to Monbiot’s claim that Channel 4 has harmed action against climate change.

Mykura’s central tenet is that the vehemence of people such as Monbiot do more harm to the ’cause’ of global warming than a dissenting documentary that is seen by 2.7m viewers. In Mykura’s words:

It is arguable that it is not the Great Global Warming Swindle that has bred public scepticism, but the desire of some environmentalists – evidenced by the identikit complaints orchestrated against the film – to stamp out dissenting voices. This intolerance undermines confidence in the rightness of the cause.

This one’s going to get some comments alright. Maybe aiming for the 1,500 that accumulated under the New Scientist Lynas/White debate at the beginning of the year. Some early comments on the CIF site under Mykura’s article:

• Pretendingtocare: ‘2 more articles like this and we’ll have balance’
• TheLoonyfromCatford: ‘Impact? well it sure got a lot of US right-wing bloggers talking’
• Commander Keen: Hamish, you are a (quoting Durkin) ‘big daft cock’

And isn’t that fulfilling all the promises of new media? More »

Tags: Channel 4, climate change, GGWS, Mykura, Ofcom