Home > Shows > Flawed Mathematical Models
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Global Warming Models
Yucca Mountain Disposal
Quantitative vs Qualitative
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Date: |
01-28-07 |
Host: |
Art Bell |
Guests: |
Duke University Professor Dr. Orrin Pilkey discussed how unquestioned faith in mathematical models can misrepresent future situations and lead to unmanageable plans. Quantitative models that predict where, when, and how much, are typically inaccurate, and can lead to bad decisions, he outlined.
For instance, the plan to dispose of nuclear waste in Yucca Mountain in Nevada tries to look ahead one million years and presupposes that it may fail someday with leakage into the groundwater.
A better way to look at such issues, he argued, is the qualitative model, which asks how, why, and what if. Considering various contingencies can offer more flexibility in long-term solutions. For instance, in Sweden nuclear waste is buried 1,000 ft. underwater, with the possibility in mind, that over long stretches of time, another ice age may hit the area. Pilkey also addressed how global climate change, AIDS and other issues are hampered by quantitative models.
Bumper music from Sunday January 28, 2007
| 1. | 25 Or 6 To 4 Chicago |
2. | Black Velvet Alannah Myles |
3. | Don't Bring Me Down E.L.O. |
| 4. | Hazy Shade of Winter The Bangles |
5. | Hazy Shade Of Winter Simon and Garfunkel |
6. | Layla Eric Clapton |
| 7. | Layla Derek & The Dominos |
8. | Layla Derek & the Dominos |
9. | Midnight in the Desert Crystal Gayle |
| 10. | Roundabout Yes |
11. | S.O.S. ABBA |
12. | The Chain Fleetwood Mac |
| 13. | Time Pink Floyd |
14. | Time Alan Parsons Project |
15. | Time Hootie & the Blowfish |
| 16. | Twilight Zone Golden Earring |
17. | Who Loves You Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons |
18. | Wicked Game Chris Isaak |
| 19. | Year of the Cat Al Stewart |
20. | Midnight Express (The Chase) Giorgio Moroder |
21. | Midnight Express (The Chase) Giorgio Moroder |
| 22. | Isn't It Time The Babys |