Questions For Doc Brabs

Dear Doctah,

1). What are the pros and cons of putting scientific research/findings into layman's terms? An obvious push for transparency would help mitigate expert-amateur tensions over the availability of technical knowledge, but at the potential cost of "dumbed down" information that could easily be misinterpreted and blown out of proportion. What is a safe way to ease the gap between those who know, and those how lack the technical training to 'know' in the same way, but are interested none-the-less?

2). As you explained in class, certain scientific data requires a "trick" or tweak before it can be accurately graphed. While you made it quite clear what had happened and been misinterpreted in the Climategate scandal, why did the scientists not explain more thoroughly what happened? From what I read, their comments on the subject maintained a level of generality that, when given their specific predicament concerning comments about a particular data set, was simply not useful for an audience that wanted significant and relevant answers for the 'scandal' at hand. Are there legitimate situations in which a scientist might very much like to withhold information from the public?

3). What on earth is a 'Q'?

4). A plan to build geothermal infrastructure has recently been invested in at Ball State University. While the investment costs are monumental (upwards of $30 million for two separate multi-year steps), 1-2 million dollars are estimated to be saved each year as a result. Does IU have the potential for an green investment of this size? Does it even make sense to? While Ball State is roughly half the size IU (student population), what can IU learn from Ball State's profound move towards a greener campus?

5). You posed this question to us, but I'd like to know your answer as well: To what extent do you believe scientists have the right to suggest policy measures, if any?

6). In regards to combating climate change, what are some of the worst things we could do? The best? As an individual? A country? A globe?

7). How awesome is Bill Nye on a scale of 1-1000? (Please note any "tricks" used if your answer includes a graph)