Wow! Glenn Beck is more talented than I thought. Not only is he a complete and utter tool over global warming (which we already knew), he is also a tool about astronomy, too!
First, read what Pamela wrote about the overhyped news that observing the dark energy of the Universe may hasten its demise.
Then, read what Glenn Beck had to say about this topic.
Here is one small part of Beck’s doofosity:
GLENN: I know I wasn’t in my car observing dark matter. I wasn’t in my giant SUV observing dark matter. The scientists were. Don’t blame me, scientists. Oh, I’ve got my little SUV that’s going to make the world a little hotter. You’re collapsing the universe! Which one of us suck [sic] more for nature? I’m only wrecking the planet. You’ve destroyed the entire universe! Thanks a lot!
Now, first off, Beck means dark energy, not dark matter. When you don’t understand the difference between energy and matter, then maybe you shouldn’t be using them to joke about global warming. Of course, I know that a lot of folks don’t understand much about dark energy and dark matter, but then, a lot of folks wouldn’t use them as a springboard to say other dumb stuff – and a lot of folks don’t have a national radio show where they can spout their ignorance, either. And the fact that he says “dark matter” about 50 times doesn’t help much. It’s not like it’s difficult to find easy-to-understand info on dark matter.
But despite his ignorance, he is trying to be clever and make this big deal about how global warming doesn’t exist either. The impact of his “satire” would be strengthened somewhat if he had any clue at all about what he’s talking about, but that’s true of pretty much everything he says. And the ultimate irony, perhaps, is that global warming is tied in very closely with energy production– so if he had gotten the dark energy part right, there would have been more room to make jokes.
It’s too bad. When I read it, I thought he was going to make some relatively funny point about scientists and science and astronomy… but I should have known the way it would really go down. I’m surprised that all the wrong things he said in that one segment didn’t collapse into a black hole and destroy the Earth. Certainly, if enough people listen to him, that end will be achieved anyway.
And a final note: yes, I know it’s just a joke. But sometimes dumbness in all its myriad forms needs to be pointed out.
Tip o’ the lens cap to Sam Harrelson. I almost hate to break it to him that the clip he posted was from a piece of pseudoscientific dreck.
