tautologies wrote: ↑Mon Jun 25, 2018 9:44 pm
I do not tend to call people names, but I will stop replying to people like him because there is no rational conversation to be had.
No response is a very good approach when the prospect of a rational conversation seems unlikely. Better than wasting your time and beating your head against a wall.
That said, most of us have said a few things we shouldn’t have, and I’m pretty sure you can recall a post or two you’ve deleted after rethinking things. It’s ok. We all make mistakes of many different kinds. We are human and that’s part of the deal.
Blocking MM is the best approach if one really hates to read what he says. However, anyone who is criticizing him must have chosen to read his posts, and that is a statement in itself.
I know some of MM’s adversaries enjoy speaking authoritatively about climate science because they are educated in other areas of science, but when they say things like “the science is settled” and “the debate is over” they speak against some of the foundations of scientific thought. Everything is open to debate, and challenging what is accepted as truth is encouraged by the scientific world (aside from those with political and monetary conflicts of interest). Challenging accepted “truth” is what leads to discovery (or further affirmation of accepted “truth”). MM may not be a climate scientist, but neither are many of the self-appointed authorities on scientific method who try to dismiss him. In the scientific world, simply dismissing a challenging opinion isn’t as powerful as presenting evidence to support one’s own views. However, in our world of political influence and desire to be accepted by those in the mainstream, dismissing those with opposing views is a very common strategy (even when those doing the dismissing don’t know what they’re talking about).
I enjoy reading his posts and I like to read the thoughts of someone who is willing to speak his mind, even if that means being attacked. I don’t have to agree with a single thing he says, and I can block his posts and hide in a safe space if I choose to be offended by what he says.
Troll? I’m not so sure. Racist? I don’t think I have enough information to make such an accusation. Interesting? To me, yes.