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Geologists Might Be Charged For Not Predicting Quake
mmmscience writes "In 2009, a series of small earthquakes shook the region of L'Aquila, Italy. Seismologists investigated the tremors, but concluded that there was no direct indication of a big quake on the horizon. Less than a month later, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake killed more than 300 people. Now, the chief prosecutor of L'Aquila is
looking to charge the scientists with gross negligent manslaughter for not predicting the quake."
I thought the USA was the sue-happy country. Don't we have a patent on it or something? Italy better start preparing for a lawsuit from the U.S.
"But, but, I'm so so sorry boss. I couldn't predict the big quake because my crystal ball fell off the work bench when the little tremors hit."
I think that this is another case of Corporate Greed. But personally I blame the Obama Administration.
"Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad." [Ecclesiastes 7:3]
Quite, they never seem to be able to make their minds up. The slightest bit of evidence and it's all change. One moment it's Newtonian mechanics, and then Einstein comes along and it's all wrong.
P.S. 6,000 years.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Al Roker's ass is toast.
The science of predicing earthquakes has so far bordered on Phernology. I don't mind a learning curve, even a 100 year one. But if they led people to believe that something was going to happen, and there were negative consequences because of it, they should be hung out to dry like the rest of us. Not for being wrong, but for basing a strong conclusion on incredibly flimsy ground.
/. - spreading natural disasters puns since 1997.
Jail those bankers and those economists who don't warn us before our shares start dropping or have us lose any of the money we've invested for that matter! [/sarcasm]
I'd rather use the scientists to come up with a better/easier/faster/more amusing way of getting rid of the politicians.
How much energy is stored in a politician anyways?
Scientists could, however, accurately predict half-life.
I can't tell if you're being serious and that scares me.
+1 Disagree
I suppose that depends on what type of energy you're talking about. If you were to set fire to said politicians toes and wait for the whole thing to burn to a stump, it's a decent amount of energy that could keep the average American home warm for a night.
On the other hand if you're thinking of releasing all of the kinetic energy stored in said politician's molecules.... Woah.
+1 Disagree
For purposes of this exercise, assume a perfectly spherical politician.
"I am an Adept of Tantric VAX."