I've read a few writings by a popular media philosopher named Pascal Bruckner who spends a lot of time insinuating motivations onto other's - but, never establishing any sort of firm case. I am offended that he has chosen to attack science in a most childish manner, dressed up behind fancy words and fanciful notions that are never supported with any sort of case study grounded in real world events.
Heck, Pascal clearly demonstrates he doesn't even understand the difference between substantial and insubstantial, see ¶3. Though it doesn't slow down his distain for the professionals who study our planet and the information they share.
Last year over at WhatsUpWithThatWatts.blogspot.com I wrote up a detailed critique on "Essay: Carbon footprint as 'original sin'." I've now come across another article based on his book "Fanaticism of the Apocalypse." Here again Bruckner weaves a cynical tale supported by nothing but his own muse.
Bruckner displays not the slightest understanding of what Earth scientists do, or the information they gather, nor the real life implications of that research. Instead he feeds right into the Libertarian/Republican handbook of smug disregard for down to earth facts with an astounding amount of unjustified self-certitude.
Since Pascal Bruckner has decided to become a pawn in their strategic attack on science and rational learning - his words deserve to be examined and exposed for the farce they are.
Admittedly I'm no scholar, and it would be great if someone of more credibility take on the task - but until then, here is this layperson's critical review of Pascal Bruckner's fantasy as displayed in his The Chronicle of Higher Education article "Against Environmental Panic"
{originally published at my WUWTW.com}
Heck, Pascal clearly demonstrates he doesn't even understand the difference between substantial and insubstantial, see ¶3. Though it doesn't slow down his distain for the professionals who study our planet and the information they share.
Last year over at WhatsUpWithThatWatts.blogspot.com I wrote up a detailed critique on "Essay: Carbon footprint as 'original sin'." I've now come across another article based on his book "Fanaticism of the Apocalypse." Here again Bruckner weaves a cynical tale supported by nothing but his own muse.
Bruckner displays not the slightest understanding of what Earth scientists do, or the information they gather, nor the real life implications of that research. Instead he feeds right into the Libertarian/Republican handbook of smug disregard for down to earth facts with an astounding amount of unjustified self-certitude.
Since Pascal Bruckner has decided to become a pawn in their strategic attack on science and rational learning - his words deserve to be examined and exposed for the farce they are.
Admittedly I'm no scholar, and it would be great if someone of more credibility take on the task - but until then, here is this layperson's critical review of Pascal Bruckner's fantasy as displayed in his The Chronicle of Higher Education article "Against Environmental Panic"
{originally published at my WUWTW.com}
{I have informed The Chronicle of Higher Education...
no response so far.}
{If anyone wants, feel free to copy and use as you see fit.}
no response so far.}
{If anyone wants, feel free to copy and use as you see fit.}
=========================
June 17, 2013
Against Environmental Panic
Copyright © 2014 The Chronicle of Higher Education
By Pascal Bruckner (4200words)
¶1 In Jesuit schools we were urged to strengthen our faith by spending time in monasteries. We were assigned spiritual exercises to be dutifully written in little notebooks that were supposed to renew the promises made at baptism and to celebrate the virtues of Christian love and succor for the weak. It wasn't enough just to believe;
