CoRecursive: Coding Stories Story: briffa_sep98_e.pro - The File That Sparked a Storm
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Apr 2, 2025 Discover how a single line of code ignited the Climategate scandal, casting doubt on climate science. The discussion delves into critical errors in research that led to dire economic consequences. Learn about the enigmatic file BRIFA-SEP and the ongoing tug-of-war between climate skepticism and scientific integrity. Explore how data proxies reconstruct our climate history and the challenges scientists face, including navigating the human pressures within data analysis. Transparency in science and the implications of data is the core theme throughout.
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Spreadsheet Error's Impact
- A Greek woman, Maria, lost her job due to austerity measures following a 2010 economic paper.
- A spreadsheet error in the paper, later discovered, invalidated the findings and had devastating real-world consequences.
Invisible Code's Power
- Much important code, like statistical calculations for research, remains hidden.
- This "invisible code" influences policy and often goes unnoticed until an error occurs.
Climategate Introduction
- The Climategate scandal revolved around leaked emails and code, raising doubts about climate science.
- Adam Gordon-Bell aims to investigate the scandal by examining the leaked code and data.