Hearthlist Digest #67 - Sunday, November 30, 1997 Re: Hearthlist Digest #66 - 11/29/97 by Raymond D. Goldman <[email protected]> Too bad about the list by John Gulland <[email protected]>
(back) Subject: Re: Hearthlist Digest #66 - 11/29/97 From: "Raymond D. Goldman" <[email protected]> Date: Sat, 29 Nov 1997 18:37:06 -0700 > >> > >The following is verbatim from yesterday's (11/27) "The Oregonian" feature >story on the Kyoto conference. This was a scrupulously objective review of >the generally-agreed facts and the prospects for positive results from the >conference. > >"Most experts accept the following conclusions: > ><> The world is getting warmer. The average global temperature is about 1 >degree Fahrenheit warmer today than it was 100 years ago. Summers are longer; >winters are milder. Although there is much year-to-year variation, the >long-range trend is clearly upward. If this particular passage is carefully worded, it does not say that the 100 year average is a degree warmer than a century ago. It may mean that 100 years ago the average temperature for a day, week, month, year, decade, or century is compared to a day, week, month, decade or century related to 1997. I tend to believe that if the writer has hard evidence that the entire century average is being used he would have said so, it would be a very damning statement. On the other hand, reporters are not known for using precise language. It was an interesting read though. Craig, I don't think we're anti enviornment; speaking for myself, I'm just anti-hyperbola and knee jerk reaction to it. Raymond D. Goldman With liberty and justice for all who can afford it
(back) Subject: Too bad about the list From: John Gulland <[email protected]> Date: Sun, 30 Nov 1997 11:50:56 -0500 It looks like the Hearthlist has fallen victim to the disease that other email discussion groups suffer from. A few people begin to have a calm, reasoned, respectful exchange of views and then someone weighs in with intemperate rant that, in effect, challenges the intelligence of the previous contributors. It puts a chill on further discussion. If we were all in the same room, a small group that wanted to explore a complex issue in a quiet, thoughtful way could just excuse themselves and move away from the ranter, but on the list, we can't get away. I had hoped that our initial discussion of the global warming/climate change issue could move on to deal with its implications for our industry. What are the likely government responses and how might they affect our industry? Do average homeowners understand the issue and has it affected purchasing decisions? Will it affect purchasing decisions in the future and in what ways? How might it affect product development planning? Will it change the product mix? Might it prompt a stabilization of wood burning appliance sales after their five year skid? What might it mean for the public's view of the hearth generally? But it doesn't look like we'll be having that discussion. I don't much feel like being insulted and I'm sure most others feel the same. It's too bad. I had looked forward to such a discussion and believed we could all learn from it. I suspect that the tendency for email discussion to be chilled by ranters who see the world in stark black and white and don't respect the views of others will eventually mean that the only lists worth subscribing to will be moderated. Regrets, John This is for business: http://www.gulland.ca This is for pleasure: http://www.wood-heat.com