diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'chapter4.md')
| -rw-r--r-- | chapter4.md | 37 |
1 files changed, 20 insertions, 17 deletions
diff --git a/chapter4.md b/chapter4.md index 482adde..8bad940 100644 --- a/chapter4.md +++ b/chapter4.md @@ -99,23 +99,26 @@ submission to the imperial cult. Likewise, in our society, there are empire-like forces constantly reinforcing dominant epistemologies, and among these is the fossil fuel industry. -'Doubt is our product,' declared an infamous memo by ? to ? \[CITE\], -describing their strategy of manufacturing scientific controversy on the health -effects of smoking in order to defend the tobacco industry's profits. The -fossil fuel industry has consistently employed the same PR contractors and even -scientific researchers in their efforts to use science to defend their profits -[@hulac-jul-2016]. Fossil fuel companies used balancing norms in journalism and -American values of fairness to demand an equal public hearing for climate -sceptics over their opponents, creating a public impression that the experts -are divided [@leah-2011, pp. 204-208]. - -The fossil fuel industry has repeatedly bought out the science \[EVIDENCE\]. It -continues to do so \[EVIDENCE\]. It has also reinforced conceptual frameworks -such as 'carbon footprinting' which serve its interests by shifting blame for -social harms from themselves onto individuals [^See chapter 1]. Therefore, as -long as the fossil fuel industry has significant power, the majority -epistemology of our society cannot help but be partially shaped by fossil fuel -interests. To escape fossil knowledge requires minority cognition. +The fossil fuel industry has consistently employed the same PR contractors and +even scientific researchers as the tobacco industry in their efforts to use +science to defend their profits [@hulac-jul-2016]. They have also used the same +strategies, including manufacturing scientific controversy, 'information +laundering' through think-tanks, and providing financial support to scientists +who promote views in line with their interests [@smoke-mirrors-hot-air]. Fossil +fuel companies have used balancing norms in journalism and American values of +fairness to demand an equal public hearing for climate sceptics over their +opponents, creating a public impression that the experts are divided +[@leah-2011, pp. 204-208]. Fossil fuel companies have obscured their involvement +in their own strategies by funneling their money through legal vehicles called +'donor foundations,' which give their money to think-tanks on their behalf while +protecting their anonymity [@brulle-2014]. When climate sceptics don't leave a +paper trail tracing their money back to the fossil fuel companies who benefit +from the promotion of their views, they are much harder to refute, particularly +in cultures like the US which place a high value on the freedom of speech. + +Therefore, as long as the fossil fuel industry has significant power, the +majority epistemology of our society cannot help but be partially shaped by +fossil fuel interests. To escape fossil knowledge requires minority cognition. This has precedents even within the green movement. In the view of Linda Lear, the effect of _Silent Spring_, Rachel Carson's damning exposé on the chemical |