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"Climate change" describes the consequence, not the mechanism. So it also makes sense in this context and is consistent with the other use. If the people worki

"Climate change" describes the consequence, not the mechanism. So it also makes sense in this context and is consistent with the other use. If the people working in this field find it intuitively similar enough to justify using the term, I don't have any particular reason to question their motives about it. Using a similar term does not necessarily mean "confusing two different phenomena". Bike wheels and airplane wheels work very differently, for different purposes, but are similar enough in enough ways to justify using the same term. It's quite possible to differentiate when that's necessary, and also it usually isn't.

hn_throwaway_99 3y ago
Perhaps technically, but words acquire meaning and nuance separate from their technical definitions. I have a very strong difficulty believing that scientists who call this "underground climate change" aren't doing this with the deliberate intent to latch on to all the press/importance of atmospheric climate change. > Bike wheels and airplane wheels work very differently, for different purposes, but are similar enough in enough ways to justify using the same term. It's quite possible to differentiate when that's necessary, and also it usually isn't. Do you honestly believe that analogy has anything to do with the point I'm making here?
- giraffe_lady 3y ago
  I'm just not that skeptical of their motives, I guess. Nor am I particularly alarmed if that is an aspect of why they've chosen it. The idea that science is a completely neutral endeavor completely separate from the world it takes place in is pure fantasy. A modest amount of marketing for the research is part of doing the research, and always has been.
  - derriz 3y ago
    I force myself to be careful to use the word cynicism instead of skepticism - the former word describes an a malevolent intention while the latter does not. I do this as an exercise as it’s been too easy for me (I’ve a skeptical nature - an extreme form of curiosity I think) to slip from skepticism to cynicism. Claims can be factually incorrect but for many reasons - and once you start building theories of motivation, it’s too easy to be sidetracked by emotion and prejudice. Skepticism is healthy but requires sticking to trying to determine truths and just ignoring possible motivations. Excuse the barely relevant ramble but I found this approach would have saved me aggravation earlier in my life.

hn_throwaway_99 3y ago

Perhaps technically, but words acquire meaning and nuance separate from their technical definitions. I have a very strong difficulty believing that scientists who call this "underground climate change" aren't doing this with the deliberate intent to latch on to all the press/importance of atmospheric climate change. > Bike wheels and airplane wheels work very differently, for different purposes, but are similar enough in enough ways to justify using the same term. It's quite possible to differentiate when that's necessary, and also it usually isn't. Do you honestly believe that analogy has anything to do with the point I'm making here?

giraffe_lady 3y ago
I'm just not that skeptical of their motives, I guess. Nor am I particularly alarmed if that is an aspect of why they've chosen it. The idea that science is a completely neutral endeavor completely separate from the world it takes place in is pure fantasy. A modest amount of marketing for the research is part of doing the research, and always has been.
- derriz 3y ago
  I force myself to be careful to use the word cynicism instead of skepticism - the former word describes an a malevolent intention while the latter does not. I do this as an exercise as it’s been too easy for me (I’ve a skeptical nature - an extreme form of curiosity I think) to slip from skepticism to cynicism. Claims can be factually incorrect but for many reasons - and once you start building theories of motivation, it’s too easy to be sidetracked by emotion and prejudice. Skepticism is healthy but requires sticking to trying to determine truths and just ignoring possible motivations. Excuse the barely relevant ramble but I found this approach would have saved me aggravation earlier in my life.