Nate Silver challenges global warming deniers

Chris

Gold Member
May 30, 2008
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To the documented reality of a warming globe, there are those who remained unconvinced. Among this group, one of the few arrows left in the rhetorical quiver is a type offered Friday by John Hinderaker at Powerline...

"I don't think things are quite so bad this year, but if something doesn't change pretty soon 2009 may go down in history, in some parts of the U.S. at least, as another year with barely any summer. Here in Minnesota and across the Midwest, temperatures are abnormally cold. I don't know whether the phenomenon is world-wide--data that will answer this question have probably not been assembled, and may not be honestly reported--but the current low level of solar activity suggests that the cooling trend could indeed be universal."

In other words: "See, this cold snap is prima facie evidence that Al Gore is a dirty, rotten liar." Nate Silver at FiveThirtyEight has taken up the challenge. His response: wanna bet on it?...

"Therefore, because I'd like to see more accountability on all sides of this debate and because I'm tired of people who don't understand statistics and because I'd like to make some money, I issue the following challenge....

For each day that the high temperature in your hometown is at least 1 degree Fahrenheit above average, as listed by Weather Underground, you owe me $25. For each day that it is at least 1 degree Fahrenheit below average, I owe you $25.
"

The elegance of the challenge is immediately obvious. While the global warming-deniers are quick to offer smoke and mirrors as evidence, would they be willing to put money on it?. If global warming isn't happening, or more preposterously, if global cooling is underway, then this is an easy bet to take. Yet shockingly, no one has yet taken Nate up on the bet.

I did a bit of checking at the National Weather Service and looked back at Portland weather in 2009. It was marked by one of the colder winters and springs we've had in recent years, and indeed, through the first quarter of the year, 47 days were colder than average, and only 35 were warmer (the balance were average). Ah-ha!--proof, along with Hinderaker's Minnesota observation that global warming is a myth! Or maybe not. Turns out the late spring and early summer have been warmer than average. Through Saturday there have been ten more days above average than below. Anyone taking Nate's bet would be in the hole $250 right now.

BlueOregon: Global Warming Deniers: Wanna Bet?
 
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To the documented reality of a warming globe, there are those who remained unconvinced. Among this group, one of the few arrows left in the rhetorical quiver is a type offered Friday by John Hinderaker at Powerline...

"I don't think things are quite so bad this year, but if something doesn't change pretty soon 2009 may go down in history, in some parts of the U.S. at least, as another year with barely any summer. Here in Minnesota and across the Midwest, temperatures are abnormally cold. I don't know whether the phenomenon is world-wide--data that will answer this question have probably not been assembled, and may not be honestly reported--but the current low level of solar activity suggests that the cooling trend could indeed be universal."

In other words: "See, this cold snap is prima facie evidence that Al Gore is a dirty, rotten liar." Nate Silver at FiveThirtyEight has taken up the challenge. His response: wanna bet on it?

Therefore, because I'd like to see more accountability on all sides of this debate and because I'm tired of people who don't understand statistics and because I'd like to make some money, I issue the following challenge....

For each day that the high temperature in your hometown is at least 1 degree Fahrenheit above average, as listed by Weather Underground, you owe me $25. For each day that it is at least 1 degree Fahrenheit below average, I owe you $25.

The elegance of the challenge is immediately obvious. While the global warming-deniers are quick to offer smoke and mirrors as evidence, would they be willing to put money on it?. If global warming isn't happening, or more preposterously, if global cooling is underway, then this is an easy bet to take. Yet shockingly, no one has yet taken Nate up on the bet.

I did a bit of checking at the National Weather Service and looked back at Portland weather in 2009. It was marked by one of the colder winters and springs we've had in recent years, and indeed, through the first quarter of the year, 47 days were colder than average, and only 35 were warmer (the balance were average). Ah-ha!--proof, along with Hinderaker's Minnesota observation that global warming is a myth! Or maybe not. Turns out the late spring and early summer have been warmer than average. Through Saturday there have been ten more days above average than below. Anyone taking Nate's bet would be in the hole $250 right now.

BlueOregon: Global Warming Deniers: Wanna Bet?

how dare anyone question St. Albert?
 
I remember Paul Erlich taking these fool bets.....And losing every one of them.

It'd almost be worth it to move back to Minneapolis to clean up on this knucklehead.....Almost, that is.

Just as I figured, you know you are wrong.

If you are so sure you are right, why don't you bet Nate Silver?

But just remember, every year 8 BILLION TONS of CO2 is being added to the atmosphere.
 
I remember Paul Erlich taking these fool bets.....And losing every one of them.

It'd almost be worth it to move back to Minneapolis to clean up on this knucklehead.....Almost, that is.

Just as I figured, you know you are wrong.

If you are so sure you are right, why don't you bet Nate Silver?

But just remember, every year 8 BILLION TONS of CO2 is being added to the atmosphere.

So do your part and stick your head up a sheep's ass.
 
So Dude is too chicken to bet.

Kitten Koder, Sinatra, Missourian, etc... I urge you all to take up Nate Silver's bet.
 
Chicken nothing.

The nature of my business ventures means that I'm itinerant (that means I travel a lot).

So, aside from the domicile of my corporation and trust, I really have no hometown.

But, like I said, if I lived in Minneapolis, I'd be all over that shit.
 
Chicken nothing.

The nature of my business ventures means that I'm itinerant (that means I travel a lot).

So, aside from the domicile of my corporation and trust, I really have no hometown.

But, like I said, if I lived in Minneapolis, I'd be all over that shit.

maybe Prince can bet him.
 
Still waiting for someone to bet Nate.

I doubt any of the "Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine" people will bet him.

Come on, Kitten Koder, now's your chance to make some money!
 
Chicken nothing.

The nature of my business ventures means that I'm itinerant (that means I travel a lot).

So, aside from the domicile of my corporation and trust, I really have no hometown.

But, like I said, if I lived in Minneapolis, I'd be all over that shit.

A drifter who doesn't pay taxes?

Why am I not suprised?
 
Still waiting for someone to bet Nate.

I doubt any of the "Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine" people will bet him.

Come on, Kitten Koder, now's your chance to make some money!

I'm waiting for you to quit being an idiot partisan hack scumbag. I guess we'll both be waiting until hell freezes over.
 
Come on elvis, put your money where your mouth is.

Step up to the plate!

Are you afraid you might be wrong?
 
Chicken nothing.

The nature of my business ventures means that I'm itinerant (that means I travel a lot).

So, aside from the domicile of my corporation and trust, I really have no hometown.

But, like I said, if I lived in Minneapolis, I'd be all over that shit.

A drifter who doesn't pay taxes?

Why am I not suprised?

a scumbag dishonest realtor selling shit properties who is too much of a shitstain to buy his own health insurance is criticizing what others do for a living. the irony.....
 
Still waiting for someone to bet Nate.

I doubt any of the "Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine" people will bet him.

Come on, Kitten Koder, now's your chance to make some money!

I don't gamble on the future of the planet like you do.
 
this is like that idiot Steven Jones who said he would give anyone in the country $100,000 if they could prove the planes brought down the World Trade Center.
 
this is like that idiot Steven Jones who said he would give anyone in the country $100,000 if they could prove the planes brought down the World Trade Center.

They why won't you bet?

Now is your chance to prove you are right and make some money!
 

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