[Coral-List] Coral mortality in a warmer and acidified ocean

[Pedro H. Rodríguez]

I agree with Steve: regardless of the paper in question, the source was questionable, which raises legitimate questions. More importantly, citing questionable sources is habitual in the lister, and other listers have every right to call out this bad behavior- for the greater good. As you point out, Mike, everyone needs to be in their best behavior.
Best,Pedro

      From: Steve Mussman <sealab at earthlink.net>
 To: "Risk, Michael" <riskmj at mcmaster.ca> 
Cc: Pedro H. Rodríguez <phernanrod at yahoo.com>; "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov" <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
 Sent: Friday, February 3, 2017 6:52 PM
 Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Coral mortality in a warmer and acidified ocean
   
As a scientifically literate non-scientist, the first thing I do when examining new information is consider the source(s).  So while in this case I don't advocate shooting the messenger, I certainly have the right to question his motives especially considering the fact that this isn't the first time he has chosen to cite a source which you have described as having questionable credibility.  By accepting such sources we begin to legitimize them. Next thing you know "alternative science" will creep into our lexicon right along with "alternative facts".

Regards,
Steve

Sent from my iPad



Sent from my iPad
> On Feb 2, 2017, at 1:05 PM, Risk, Michael <riskmj at mcmaster.ca> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi Pedro (Doug, Gene). 
> 
> These are perilous times, with science seemingly under threat from all sides
> and societies increasingly polarized. This is especially true of the US.
> 
> It is increasingly important to all of us on this list that we stick to the
> science. Gene's scientific credentials should need no repeating to anyone on
> this list. He also performs a valuable although sometimes annoying service
> by posting items that cause us to think, or cause our hair to catch on fire.
> 
> This recent exchange I think can be used as a microcosm to formulate our
> proper responses. We must not fall into the trap of shooting the messenger.
> 
> It is true that Gene's posting came from a website that some of us would not
> deem as credible. Nonetheless, however, the description of the science
> itself was accurate. Gracious behaviour on our part would be to thank Gene
> for bringing this to our attention.
> 
> Lost in the noise is the essential conclusion of this piece of science, and
> I am disappointed that this seems not to have been absorbed. We as a group
> need to accept that one of our major genera of reef building corals has
> sailed through previous climate changes with its skeletal architecture
> intact. We either have to  accept that the recent declines are due to local
> stresses,  or  we need to devise experiments to challenge the original
> findings.
> 
> Mike
> 
> On Feb 1, 2017, at 3:00 PM, Pedro H. Rodríguez <[1]phernanrod at yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> 
> Doug,
> Thanks  for  checking the references provided to the list to support a
> counter-argument. An apparent need for attention has, once again, disguised
> as  someone's  "pushing the boundary" of the science with a fact-based
> argument. This is a huge disservice to the List- many people not have the
> time to check every claim that poses as a scientifically-based argument. As
> a defense mechanism, some of us pay special attention to claims made by
> frequently debunked offenders.
> Best,Pedro
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2017 11:20:08 -0500
> From: Douglas Fenner <[2]douglasfennertassi at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Coral mortality in a warmer and acidified
>    ocean
> To: Nicole Crane <[3]nicrane at cabrillo.edu>
> Cc: Eugene Shinn <[4]eugeneshinn at mail.usf.edu>,
>    "[5]coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov" <[6]coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Message-ID:
>    <[7]CAOEmEkF34OUZHy2WWtY6=3opq5eX3TLhj+eybY4YJUun6ZODNw at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> Well, all of the wording in Gene's message other than the article reference
> was from the "CO2 Science" website, except where it quotes the article...
> _______________________________________________
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> [8]Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> 
> Risk, Michael
> [9]riskmj at mcmaster.ca
> 
> References
> 
> 1. mailto:phernanrod at yahoo.com
> 2. mailto:douglasfennertassi at gmail.com
> 3. mailto:nicrane at cabrillo.edu
> 4. mailto:eugeneshinn at mail.usf.edu
> 5. mailto:coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> 6. mailto:coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> 7. mailto:CAOEmEkF34OUZHy2WWtY6=3opq5eX3TLhj+eybY4YJUun6ZODNw at mail.gmail.com
> 8. mailto:Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> 9. mailto:riskmj at mcmaster.ca
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