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It is usually invoked by those who are frustrated either with criticisms?

 
 
Reply Sun 16 Sep, 2012 09:08 am
Does " It is usually invoked by those who are frustrated either with criticisms of the trustworthiness of climate
science or else with obfuscation about the desirability of taking action on climate change" mean "the charge/accusation is usually carried out by those who are annoyed by the criticisms (that attack the values/justification of climate science) or annoyed by the denialists' confusion (about the advantages of taking action on climate change)?

Context:

The charge of 'denialist' has the potential to raise the temperature of any discussion of climate change by a few degrees. It is usually invoked by those who are frustrated either with criticisms of the trustworthiness of climate science or else with obfuscation about the desirability of taking action on climate change. It is also a claim that often triggers equally vehement claims of climate change 'alarmism', the result being a collapse of discussion into
the simplistic binary trope of good versus evil.
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McTag
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  2  
Reply Sun 16 Sep, 2012 11:09 am
@oristarA,

Yes, but not "confusion". Delaying tactics, more like, or deliberate mis-stating of the actual position.
JTT
 
  1  
Reply Sun 16 Sep, 2012 12:21 pm
@McTag,
See, McTag, they were hardly ignorant in all respects. Smile
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oristarA
 
  1  
Reply Sun 16 Sep, 2012 08:37 pm
Thank you, McTag and JTT.
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oristarA
 
  1  
Reply Sun 16 Sep, 2012 08:40 pm
@McTag,
McTag wrote:


Yes, but not "confusion". Delaying tactics, more like, or deliberate mis-stating of the actual position.


The definition of obfuscation:
n.
1. confusion resulting from failure to understand
2. the activity of obscuring people's understanding, leaving them baffled or bewildered

I took the first and you deemed the second was right in the context.
The nuance is hardly an easy grammatical task to be completed.
How did you figure out it was 2 but not 1, McTag?
McTag
 
  1  
Reply Mon 17 Sep, 2012 01:12 am
@oristarA,

Obfuscation, in my understanding although I haven't looked this up the the "good book", means the deliberate attempt to mislead.
That is how it is normally used, anyway.
oristarA
 
  1  
Reply Mon 17 Sep, 2012 05:20 am
@McTag,
Actual experience is vital.
Collins supports you:

noun
the act or an instance of making something obscure, dark, or difficult to understand

http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/obfuscation

Thank you.
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