Kudos to our clever commentors... Well played! You figured out my framing game... I've been sharing my perspective on the media with regard to science and politics over several months now and evidently readers have been paying attention. My post yesterday was an experiment of sorts to see if you'd notice when a seemingly reputable news source emphasized the alarmist spin and left out some details. [Note the heavy use of italicized quotes]. Instead of replying in the comments, I'm outing myself in this forum with hope to find out more about your initial reactions...
This is the kind of article that bothers me.
Exactly! I'm glad you've picked up on the problems with the way this story has been presented. Notice I didn't attempt to validate the claim... just pointed to this report from CNN. The story just didn't sit quite right with me, and I was curious to find out whether anyone would react and question the claims or accept them hook, line, and sinker. That said, I'm encouraged we're collectively recognizing the need to think critically about the way science is relayed in the media.
I anticipated the end of the the third sentence: "Sure we'll lose some of America's cultural heritage, but on the upside," we'll lose Florida.
That's an appropriate (albeit exaggerated) ending and you're correct to point out Florida is most at risk. Unfortunately, despite the obvious trouble with the way the report was presented, sea level rise will likely be a very serious problem due to changing coastlines, displaced populations, increased storm damage and on. [The degree of elevation will not be uniform around the world - expect a post on the science behind rising seas coming soon]. In the US, insurance rates in some coastal states are already increasing rapidly as well in anticipation of stronger storms. Environmentally, socioeconomically, and politically, be prepared to feel the impacts of sea level rise.
Your post insults the reader's intelligence at so many levels, that it really does a disservice to your cause.
A look at the last line and you'll recognize the post was not to be taken literally, but rather winks at the irony of how science and politics are presented in the media. I'm tremendously pleased so many clearly recognize when a story may be spun to garner attention. That said, I strongly suspect Chris and I have some of the sharpest readers on the web here at The Intersection!
