"Tivo-ifies the web" Paul Kedrosky

The Swindle of the “Great Global Warming Swindle” film.

Stephen Nodvin 43 min 11 sec Mar 24, 2007 blog.nodvin.net Link

The Great Global Warming Swindle, was a very popular rebuttal of the idea that Global Warming is caused by humans. A glossy piece made by competent film makers and commissioned by a respectable channel, it was highly influential. This film, which consists of a lecture presentation and commentary by Chris Merchant a lecturer in geophysics at Edinburgh University takes it apart, piece by piece.

Despite the rough and ready nature of the presentation, it is straight from the lecture hall, rather than film studio, this is a really interesting film for two reasons: 1. it is a logical analysis of the type of argument used in the film, and dispassionately reveals common arguments which lead to fallacy such as false dichotomy and ad hominem attack. 2. It shows what should be possible with online videos, in the near future, a kind of endless dialectic produced by mashup and commentary.

It would be good, for example, to see a mashup of the mashup, make by the original film makers. However, Chris’ analysis is ultimately so devastating that they perhaps would be better to stay quiet than reveal themselves as charlatans.

Thanks to Kaan Atakan for the link.

5 comments nature, politics, science

The Human Sexes

A socio-anthropological view of gender. Or, in less academic parlance, sex differences. A great series (even if the difference between science and hearsay is somewhat blurred). This is part 1, the remaining parts are also on Google video.

Running time: 51 mins.

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After the Warming

A film about global warming from nearly twenty years ago by the Irish documentary maker, James Burke (Connections).

Running time: 1 hour 47 mins

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Everest 1965

Indiana Jones style – complete with retro maps and pictures of prop planes flying over famous landmarks.

Running time: 1 hour 11 mins.

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The Ultimate Guide – Elephants

Running time: 47 mins.

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Mountain Gorillas

Running time: 39 mins.

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Earthlings

Feature length documentary about humankind’s relationship to other animals. How we treat them and how we depend on them.

[update: as a Smashing Telly viewer, points out, I should probably warn people that this film is very disturbing and graphic. However, it is not gratuitously so. Also, if the warning is relevant, merely because it may put you off your dinner, then it’s kind of pointless, since one of the points of this film is to warn you about your dinner. ]

Running time: 1 hour 35 mins.

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3 comments nature

What Makes Us Human part 1. Big Heads

What exactly is it that makes humans different from other animals? Presented by Armand Leroi

Running time, part 1: 47 mins.

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Running time, part 2: 48 mins.

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Rivers and Tides – Andy Goldsworthy

Beautiful documentary about my favorite artist, Andy Goldsworthy. Goldsworthy makes landscape sculpture from purely natural materials that are immediately at hand. He makes arches out of cracked ice, spirals out of cracked stones, and incredible sculptures from woven leaves. The results are simple and unpretentious but at the same time profound and painstakingly well crafted.

Running time: 1 hour 30 mins.

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Meerkats United

Aaah, if you can’t get enough of cute animals, this 1994 documentary about Meerkats in the Kalahari is a must.

Running time: 23 mins.

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