Saturday, May 28, 2011

When You Can't Tell Satire From Reality

Italian government officials have accused the country's top seismologist of manslaughter, after failing to predict a natural disaster that struck Italy in 2009, a massive devastating earthquake that killed 308 people.

A shocked spokesman for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) likened the accusations to a witch hunt.
Yup.  This is an inexact science still.  What next?  Are they going to prosecute an economist for failing to predict the collapse of world markets?

2 comments:

  1. Could have a chat with Dr James Hansen on his problems with the current crop of tornadoes.

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  2. Well, scientists have, to a certain degree brought this on themselves. They claim to be able to predict the world average temperature to +/- one degree 100 years hence, but can't predict an earthquake on a known fault, or tell you whether to bring a sweater or an umbrella tomorrow?
    This is similar to the plight of doctors, who are claiming all sorts of miracle cures, but not for your ailment.

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