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> Consensus, although comforting, is irrelevant in hard science. Particularly so when uncertainty is high, as in climate change modelling. When you say "irrele

> Consensus, although comforting, is irrelevant in hard science. Particularly so when uncertainty is high, as in climate change modelling. When you say "irrelevant," do you mean to say that the attempts of thousands of scientists to use the scientific method to repeat findings which constitute the body of research -- and consequently fail to falsify the theory of anthropogenic global warming -- do you mean to say that this is irrelevant? Consensus is not merely opinion -- it's opinion informed by the results of experimental and observational science. I'm not sure what else you consider to be "hard" science. EDIT: okay, this guy mrvc deleted everything he posted here, which were quite a few comments to the effect that the theory of global warming is comprised of guesses, drastic underestimation of uncertainty in the data, and propaganda.

ars 15y ago
He's probably getting downmodded, which isn't right. Don't downmod someone just because you disagree. Upmod what you agree with, and leave what you disagree with alone. Reserve downmods for stupid comments.
- rimantas 15y ago
  There is "flag" for stupid comments. If I turn the steering wheel to the right to make the right turn I'd expect to make the left turn when turning it to the left, not stopping the car. Symmetrical controls imply symmetrical actions.
  - ars 15y ago
    No, flag is for spam. The moderation is not symmetrical - it only goes to -4, but has no limit in the other direction. And it doesn't matter what you think it implies. The reality is that the custom here is not to downmod comments you disagree with. It wasn't always so, even pg at one time thought differently. But experience shows that the discussion is much better when this custom is followed.
    - rimantas 15y ago
      Symmetry is symmetry, no matter what I do think of it. If you make symmetrical actions for asymmetrical intents, that is just bad UI. I've had enough comments downvoted purely on disagreement (including the one above. Or was it "stupid"?) to not to buy your "custom" argument.
      - ars 15y ago
        I gave you an upvote to try to undo that. I've also had downvotes like that - it doesn't make it right.

ars 15y ago

He's probably getting downmodded, which isn't right. Don't downmod someone just because you disagree. Upmod what you agree with, and leave what you disagree with alone. Reserve downmods for stupid comments.

rimantas 15y ago
There is "flag" for stupid comments. If I turn the steering wheel to the right to make the right turn I'd expect to make the left turn when turning it to the left, not stopping the car. Symmetrical controls imply symmetrical actions.
- ars 15y ago
  No, flag is for spam. The moderation is not symmetrical - it only goes to -4, but has no limit in the other direction. And it doesn't matter what you think it implies. The reality is that the custom here is not to downmod comments you disagree with. It wasn't always so, even pg at one time thought differently. But experience shows that the discussion is much better when this custom is followed.
  - rimantas 15y ago
    Symmetry is symmetry, no matter what I do think of it. If you make symmetrical actions for asymmetrical intents, that is just bad UI. I've had enough comments downvoted purely on disagreement (including the one above. Or was it "stupid"?) to not to buy your "custom" argument.
    - ars 15y ago
      I gave you an upvote to try to undo that. I've also had downvotes like that - it doesn't make it right.