http://disqus.com/by/BeHereNow/enSat, 18 Feb 2017 17:53:57 -0000https://www.wired.com/2017/01/rogue-scientists-race-save-climate-data-trump/#comment-3162870305<p>I'm afraid you're missing the point.</p><p>These [POTUS]WhiteHouse backups are the administration data, not the scientific data that is the subject of this backup effort. <a href="https://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/archived-websites" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="https://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/archived-websites">https://www.archives.gov/pr...</a></p><p>Being a Wired reader, you may already know that true scientific advancements are directly proportional to the numbers of brains working on the same data, either parsing it or testing someone else's parsing, checking their methods and conclusions. Sharing data is an essential part of this process.</p><p>The concern in this case is for the raw departmental and sectional data, which live in other websites and databases that aren't included in the WH website. Previous expert discussion is more than helpful, so reports and emails and white papers can be as precious as the raw data - but the data is essential.</p><p>The transition marks the likely end of an era of scientific openness. Lawmakers are increasingly willing to insert their politics into raw research. The new administration expresses a breath-taking affection for withdrawing from the world and embraces the anti-science fervor of the alternative-facts people. The new POTUS is notoriously and monumentally insular, distrusting of outsiders, not one to willing share anything.</p><p>I am glad there was an effort; I'm hoping it succeeded,</p>BeHereNowSat, 18 Feb 2017 17:53:57 -0000http://www.writerswrite.com/wblog.php?wblog=822081#comment-1916545<p>I know I'm being picky, but it would not be possible for an aversion to the Internet to degrade or damage a person's writing skills or ability. (Arguably, reading *too much* of what you find on the 'Net may indeed degrade your eye for grammar and spelling, thus damaging the core of your writing....) I'm sure Updike still has masterful control over his writing -- perhaps his aversion to the Internet has damaged the connection between the modern reader and his characters by making the latter out-of-touch without providing a good explanation for their Luddite attitudes. ... ... "Tepid," though? That would seem to point to a deeper.issue than the author's dislike of modern conveniences.</p>BeHereNowFri, 29 Aug 2008 15:16:57 -0000