Climategate: The Perils of Global Warming Models

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/climategate-the-perils-of-global-warming-models/ ^ | John Droz, Jr.

[ventanax5]

Everyone readily admits that things aren’t always what they seem. But are we really applying this knowledge in our daily dealings? Are we consciously ferreting out the illusory from the reality? I think not.

For instance, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, we aren’t really being run by pandering politicians, self-serving lobbyists, fanatical environmentalists, and greedy Wall Street manipulators. They are the illusion.

There is another even more powerful (but much less visible) agent behind all of these puppets.

The person behind the screen is the computer programmer. And, just like in the Wizard of OZ, they do not want you to look at this real controller.

I’ll probably have to turn in my membership card, but as a computer programmer (and physicist and environmental activist) I’m here to spill the beans about the Wiz.

The first hint of trouble is spelled out in Wikipedia’s explanation about computer programmers:

The discipline differs from many other technical professions in that programmers generally do not need to be licensed or pass any standardized (or governmentally regulated) certification tests in order to call themselves “programmers” or even “software engineers.”

Hmmm.

[w1andsodidwe]

Here's the thing I have always said about computer programmer. You give me a set of data and you tell me what result you want. I can produce that result.

I always think of computer programming as a creative process and therefore certifications are meaningless. Either you can do it or not. But, more important is the moral belief of the programmer. I have personally refused to do unethical things. Not all programmers are moral. I think a moral programmer is probably responsible for the leaks.