About 20 years ago, I recall reading an article where the author set out on a quest to prove American Oil Executives corrupted the Saudi government. After much research he thought it more likely that the Saudi royal family corrupted the oil executives with whom they did business.Typhoon wrote:Quite.Simple Minded wrote:"Climate scientists" are doing for the credibility of science what pedophile Catholic priests did for the Catholic Church.
You observation is one for the ages.
As you have observed, it is tough for someone to understand a subject when they paycheck demands they don't understand or intentionally misrepresent.
Back to the group identity broad brush: The guy seeking the paycheck is the prostitute. Scientists getting in bed with politicians to obtain funding, eventually means that profession (broad brush) is respected equally as much as politicians are respected. In ORZ lingo, you wrestle with a pig and you both get dirty.
More data that each individual's behaviors and transactions should be evaluated on their own merits. Regardless of group identity. which requires time, effort, and specific knowledge........ who has time for that?
I think for a generation or two, stating you are a climate scientist, might be a standing joke. But, then again, Paul Erlich stills seems to earn a paycheck, If you can't predict well, predict often!