The “movie” below shows graphically which parts of the country voted for Republicans (red) and for Democrats (blue). The saturation of the color represents the degree of dominance. The movie starts around 1920 and ends in 2008. It would be interesting indeed to see this movie extended to include the 2010 elections!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Blue vs. Red...
For the past 100 years or so, U.S. politics have been essentially a contest between two political parties: Republicans and Democrats. While other parties and independent candidates have most certainly run, not one of them has ever achieved even political importance, much less dominance.
The “movie” below shows graphically which parts of the country voted for Republicans (red) and for Democrats (blue). The saturation of the color represents the degree of dominance. The movie starts around 1920 and ends in 2008. It would be interesting indeed to see this movie extended to include the 2010 elections!
The “movie” below shows graphically which parts of the country voted for Republicans (red) and for Democrats (blue). The saturation of the color represents the degree of dominance. The movie starts around 1920 and ends in 2008. It would be interesting indeed to see this movie extended to include the 2010 elections!
Settled Science...
The term “settled science” appears in the IPCC reports and has become a key catch-phrase in the AGW debates. The basic notion put forth by AGW proponents is that the (alleged) consensus of “professional climatologists” must be true, as the magnitude of the consensus indicates that all scientific debate on the topic has been “settled”. Ergo, to all skeptics, they say STFU.
Well, anyone even modestly acquainted with the history of science knows that there are many, many examples of “settled science” (using the notion described above to define the term) that turned out later to be bogus. One of my favorite examples is from geology, where in my lifetime the theory of plate tectonics completely overturned the “settled science” of stationary continents.
This morning I came across a delightful list of such examples. Many of the entries were reminders for me, such as the relatively recent discovery that stomach ulcers are caused by bacteria (but the previous “settled science” attributed them to stress). Many other entries were entirely new to me. The simple existence of this (eminently verifiable) list is a wonderful refutation of the AGW proponents notion of “settled science” – and a reminder of the permanent importance of skepticism to science...
Well, anyone even modestly acquainted with the history of science knows that there are many, many examples of “settled science” (using the notion described above to define the term) that turned out later to be bogus. One of my favorite examples is from geology, where in my lifetime the theory of plate tectonics completely overturned the “settled science” of stationary continents.
This morning I came across a delightful list of such examples. Many of the entries were reminders for me, such as the relatively recent discovery that stomach ulcers are caused by bacteria (but the previous “settled science” attributed them to stress). Many other entries were entirely new to me. The simple existence of this (eminently verifiable) list is a wonderful refutation of the AGW proponents notion of “settled science” – and a reminder of the permanent importance of skepticism to science...
Oh, Boy...
Most of my readers know that I work in the software industry. This industry has the rare good fortune to suffer only the occasional bout of government interference. That may be about to change. I'd say that the chances of the government doing a good job at this, without undue burden on software companies, is approximately the same chance as the Post Office offering friendly and effective customer service, or the TSA providing real security instead of security theatre. If this bill passes, you can bet that software innovation will gradually migrate to a friendlier locale...
Rainy Morning...
Up at 3 am as usual, and out with the dogs for our morning walk at 3:20 am. When I opened our front door, I was surprised to hear a light patter of raindrops on our roof. The dogs, of course, couldn't possibly care less whether it was wet outside. They bounded out, happily, to do their morning business – and came back in only reluctantly.
It is amazing just how wet a dog can get on a five minute walk! You'd think our mutts had been swimming...
It is amazing just how wet a dog can get on a five minute walk! You'd think our mutts had been swimming...
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