Re: OT -- attacking science and fighting back


SBC Yahoo wrote:
"Petra" <petrasrcf@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1160703709.271946.199380@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

SBC Yahoo wrote:

In science, only the truth matters.

Well SBC Yahoo I couldn't agree with you more, have you seen any truth
lately?

That's a partial yes/no thing. The truth is "out there", but where
"out there" might be I'm not sure. I see a definite division between
those that go "out there" and those that don't go "out there." Those
that venture "out there" say they've seen it and they know what it
looks like, whereas those who haven't been "out there" say they've read
about it and they too know without having to see it. I'm not sure if
this is a clear division between geologists and others or not, but it's
puzzling for sure.

I'm in the group that likes to go "out there", touch it and see if it
agrees with the papers people have written as sometimes it's darn
interesting, because once "out there" you know that whomever wrote some
of those papers had no idea at all that what they said was so far off
the mark that it couldn't possibly be anywhere near "the truth."

As for those on Capital Hill, well I'm sure they have differences of
opinions too. Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey who sits on the Science
Committee, (whom I've known for ten years) sent me a nice letter just
last week commending me on my proactive stance on earthquake safety
issues in California. It's good we can agree on that one.

So SBC, what's your uptake, is going "out there" a good thing or
unnecessary?

Petra

Earthquake preparedness, in California, must be something like the "duck and
cover" we went through during the Cuban Missile Crisis. As school kids, we
were told in the event of a nuclear explosion (attack), we were to get under
our desks (duck) and place our hands over our heads (cover). A lot of good
that would have done, huh? I think the best EQ prep is to move to the
Midwest. They don't have EQ's, but the weather is terrible and well, it can
be a bit boring. In the event of a EQ, I have 3 days of food (I will switch
to my beer and pretzel diet), plenty of home security to keep the scavengers
away (more firearms than the National Guard) and a vehicle large enough to
live in, in the event the other dwelling falls to the ground.

As for truth, nothing can be more elusive, sometimes. In politics, it is
virtually non existent (except for those rare occasions where it is blurted
out uncontrollably). Finding the truth can also be a adventure, but unless
one searches, one will not find. As for being "out there", I believe that
geologists would be out there more than others, because (most that I know
anyway), geologists spend a fair amount of time in the field looking for
clues as to the origin of a particular formation, or how it was mineralized,
or if it might be a reservoir for liquid gold, etc., etc.. For myself,
lately, the truth has been elusive. A good hypothesis, I might come across,
but proving it can be maddening, at times. Fortunately there is good
scotch, which stimulates the brain cells, and allows the process to
continue.

As for "going out there", nothing ventured, nothing gained - so it must be
good to "go out there".


SBC,

I've been teaching earthquake safety for quite a few years and also am
responsible for seeing it legislated as well, but these days I've
focused my work on Hazard Awareness, rather than building earthquake
kits.

Here's an article I wrote about it recently and I think you'll gather
that duck, cover and hold is still good, but leaves one bewildered in
certain places.

http://www.petrachallusquakepredictions.com/hazardawareness.html

There remains much to be done in regard to earthquake safety issues and
I guess I'm happy about that because it keeps me busy; however,
frustrated as well because it takes so many years to accomplish small
things. Three years ago I sent a proposal to the OES in California
suggesting they support whistles for earthquake safety. This year the
idea was adopted and they handed out thousands of whistles at the 1906
Commerative event in SF. That made me very happy, but when we consider
than less than a million Californian's have earthquake insurance, the
financial reality of what can happen after a 7.0 in this state in a
major metropolitan area is rather alarming.

I like going out there like Jo Shaper. She's a quality scientist and a
cracker jack geologist and I wish the interest was greater. What I
find curious though is that often when finding something new in an
active area many are not really interested in exploring it further.
Some years ago when I was in Parkfield I discovered a 160 ft fissure
that had just opened up near Little Middle Mountain and it was as
though it was no big deal. Well, it turned into one later. Early
signs I think.

So while some of the public remains apathetic until then next 5M or 6M
arrives near urban area's some scientists are no better in not taking
proactive steps to at least go and look at what is new or different
when reported. It's all very puzzling.

I'm thinking of heading down to Parkfield tomorrow to see what's
changed and explore any new possibilities. I hope they have a room at
the Inn for me. There's only 6, so at times one is hard pressed to get
the best room closest to the fault.

Petra

.

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