Tornado Scientists Butt Heads With Storm Chasers

An anonymous reader writes "Tornado researchers say amateurs — inspired by movies like Twister and shows like Storm Chasers — are getting in their way, hampering science and creating hazards. 'Hundreds of camera-toting amateurs in cars ended up chasing the same storms as a fleet of scientific vehicles during the high-profile research project, called Vortex2, which wrapped up data collection this week. At times the line of traffic caused the Midwestern roads to look like the freeways of Los Angeles, said Roger Wakimoto, director of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, during a briefing for reporters this week. "I worry about this as a safety hazard," Mr. Wakimoto said. "These people were blocking our escape routes because of the sheer number of cars."' Storm chasers say they have as much right to watch storms as Ph.D.s."

Comments

"So what" is what I say

[mlwmohawk]

Why do the "legitimate" scientists think that they are any better, deserving, or even more fit than the "amateur" scientists? Or even the thrill junkie? What gives them the temerity to try to exclude others from natural phenomenon. I think of myself as scientifically minded, but science is not the only thing. Some people study oceanographic waves, some people surf. Don't like it, study cryptozoology, no one will bother you there.

Re:Just as much right?

[SleazyRidr]

This is the United States of America! Every man is created equal! My desire to have a good time is equal to your desire to learn about storms and prevent deaths in the future! Don't tread on me!

Think of the children

[mangu]

Maybe for these people storm-chasing is a big part of what makes living interesting.

And for pedophiles fucking children is a big part of what makes living interesting.

Should we allow anything at all on the pretext that it makes living interesting for someone?

Re:Big fucking deal.

[LWATCDR]

You see that is where you have it wrong.
Your saying things and not reading things that I wrote.
Yep if they are doing real science and not endangering anyone any more than they have to then yes that is fine.
However!
Let me repost the part that you missed or didn't understand.
"I would say that most of these folk should get the heck off the rode and let the professionals have their crack at getting real data that might actually end up helping people.
Otherwise they are just using their right to be dumb jerks to hurt the advancement of science for in exchange for some thrill seeking."

Notice I said most of these folks should get off the road.
Not all but most. The unskilled and the masses of people that just want a cool picture are doing more harm than good.
They should exercise good judgment and get off the road.

Re:Big fucking deal.

[Myopic]

You may be "a science loving type" but you sure seem to hate apostrophes and contractions, as well as hyphens, periods and other punctuation.

Re:Big fucking deal.

[flyneye]

They can save thousands of lives? How's that goin' for them? Last time I checked the weathermen and the "storm chasers" they use were the ones saving thousands of lives. As near as I can tell for all the years and millions of dollars shoved into research, we have produced a species that knows how to continue funding for time and technology in order to further its need for money , time and technology. Kind of like public schools, police dept.s and politicians.
        I guess the big story is actually that the public will continue to be fooled into believing anything by ingesting popular media.

Re:Big fucking deal.

[flyneye]

Well, from your perspective then the rednecks have a financial interest in "storm chasin'"
They aren't going to do any more good than some self important scientists who spend millions of dollars finding pennies worth of info. Actually they might, if they phone ahead to "git the hell outa the house, ternader is headed straight for them".
Silly ass scientists need to get that hunk of crap off the road and let the weathermen and volunteer storm chasers warn the citizenry of impending doom.
        Damn, science has had these overpriced garbage trucks for years with damn little usable results while weathermen, with ever better radar have been out working them.
This article has a perspective problem that would make the DNC envious.