I think the difference here is that Bob is arguing that free speech
shouldn't extend to misrepresenting what people said. That is, it's a
misrepresentation of people (scientists), not nature (science) that's
at stake. We can still be free enough to fight about what is or is not
really going on in nature.
(sorry if that distinction's a bit crude, I'm trying to tidying up the
argument before it turns into another fight - I think Bob and David
might agree more than they realise)
I agree with David that free speech should allow people to challenge
the idea of climate change if they feel the need too, but I also agree
with Bob's argument against journalists editing interviews with
'experts' to make their own personal views look more widely held than
they are.
A lot of the Spiked stuff, e.g.
http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/issues/C100/
seems to suggest we should challenge the 'environmental lobby' just
because it's a widely held view. Which I personally think is a bit
juvenile, but that's just a matter of personal taste, and I appreciate
the fact I live somewhere where people can play those games if they
want to.
Alice
--
Alice Bell BSc MA
Research Postgraduate, Science Communication Group
Imperial College, London
college homepage: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/people/alice.bell
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