So This Is What A Ghost Town Looks Like . . . =)

[JDC]

Because The Mod of this SiteFile probably feels sort of lonely sitting around in here waiting for someone to fill the space since last July, here's a little summary of a Media Commentary from last week:

(From a "'Group' Email" sent by me):
So . . . The other night, being too lazy to even pick up the remote and change the channel, I left the TV tuned to PBS after whatever it was that we were watching ended. The next program was an hour-long propaganda piece about Global Warming hosted by . . . Alannis Morrisette.

You know . . . Alannis Morrisette: The Great Climatologist of Our Age (and singer of angsty songs).

Anyway, it was obvious to me that the producers of the "propumentary" were using every technique available to do exactly what Michael Crichton said the panic-mongers do in his book "State of Fear." (A book I highly recommend if you haven't yet read it.)

One scene that really caught my attention showed a bicycle messenger zipping in and out of Manhattan traffic--ignoring both all traffic laws and his own safety--and apparently breathing deeply of all the pollution (and greenhouse gases) being spewed into the environment by the vehicles he was dodging--to deliver a package to a high level conference of concerned scientists. The camera showed the guy going up into a tall skyscraper (built, I'm sure at an immense environmental cost) and delivering the package to the group with the furrowed brows in the glass enclosed high-rise office.

Here's the line in the voice-over (by Alannis) that, at that point in the production, really nails it (if unintentionally):
"Though they may disagree about the cause and the scope, no one denied that global warming isn't happening."

Read that again . . . "No one denied that global warming ISN'T happening."

Oops. =)

(One Response to the Group Mail):
After noticing 'jagged little narrator', I was intending to post an ironic little note on PBS.org regarding you-know-who about you-know what.
Well...the issue had already been addressed in a F.A.Q.:

"...Ms. Morrisette is not only a spokesperson for environmental causes but, puts HER LIFE in danger by using only one of two engines while touring in her leased Lear...she tell us that this saves thousands of gallons of fuel and reduces the 'carbon' output <of the jet> by nearly one half..."

To paraphrase Homer Simpson..."celebrities...they are better than us."

(And A Rejoinder, from Me):
"Jagged little narrator": Classic.

The answer you cited from the PBS FAQ/Excusification and Clarifiction page WAS a joke, wasn't it?

Heck . . . If flying on one engine is good, just imagine how good flying on zero engines would be. Especially if the engine was shut off at 25,000 ft.
to preserve the ozone layer or whatever. Unfortunately, the Lear jet would probably make a jagged little hole in the ecosystem below and might accidentally take out a few tree huggers at the same time.

Oh. Wait. Is that a bad thing? =)

[End of Clips]

Point of Clarification: Homer Simpson actually said, "Ahhhh Celebrities . . . They know everything."

[stupidcrickets]

Well, MOD, if it keeps the topic on the screen I'll bite.
Lets leave it to the market and the desire for real truth will be the strongest currency.
All that will matter now is credibility based on track record. Bias is unavoidable, therfore intellectual honesty is essential. The exponential increase in information sources requires a "progressive" way of intrepreting media. Reputation will now be real and provide a most effective ombudsman. This is an effective means of taking advantage of an inevitability to inform the greatest number of people.