Mann v Steyn (and us)

An exceptionally important trial started January 16, 2024

Jan 23, 2024

{Although I’m in the middle of posting a five-part series on election integrity, we need to interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for an urgent time-sensitive announcement. The election integrity series will resume in a few days…}

Here is a super-brief outline of this VERY BIG deal - that will not be seen on mainstream media…

Dr. Michael E. Mann is a well-known climate activist. E.g., he was the person who invented the hockey-stick climate graph — which intentionally conveys alarmism.

Mark Steyn is a conservative, outspoken public speaker, writer, TV personality, etc. who has a keen interest in public policies, from COVID to climate.

About 12 years ago, Mark (per here) added some comments to an internet post written by someone else. His observations drew a parallel between Jerry Sandusky (the disgraced Penn State football coach), and Mann (also a Penn State employee). Both Mann and Sandusky were investigated by Penn State’s administration in what Steyn characterized as a cover-up. Steyn also described Mann’s famous hockey stick temperature chart as fraudulent.

My understanding is that Mann subsequently told Steyn to retract his comments. However, Steyn refused, saying that what he wrote was accurate. Mann then said that he would sue Steyn if he didn’t retract, and Steyn said be my guest. This began the saga.

There are at least four fascinating aspects of this lawsuit:

1 - Mann’s contention is that this case is primarily about Science.
2 - Steyn’s position is that this is a trial primarily about Free Speech.
3 - Steyn is acting as his own lawyer (i.e. pro se), which is highly unusual.
4 - The case took 12 years to be heard, which seems to violate due process.

I could easily expand on any of those four issues, but for the sake of simplicity, I’ll focus on just the Science element.

Mann’s contention about Science is interesting, and (for multiple reasons) seems to be a very weak argument. E.g., it’s fascinating to note that, despite this being a high-profile case about a topic of paramount interest (climate change), it appears that not a single Science organization formally stepped forward to side with Mann! (See here.)

Also very interesting is that (earlier) the Judge denied Mann’s request for certain experts (some of his climate alarmist buds) to testify on his behalf. What is extremely fascinating is the Judge’s reason:

“Applying Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, and the Daubert standard for scientific evidence, Judge Irving concluded that most of the proffered expert testimony was inadmissible because the experts failed to identify the methodology they used in reaching their conclusions about the contested statements… The methodologies of the expert must be grounded in the Scientific Method, such that another person with similar expertise could replicate them (Daubert 509 US at 591).”
That the Judge is looking for evidence that the Scientific Method is used in the alarmist’s climate arguments is extraordinarily significant, for at least two reasons: 1) alarmists contend that the Scientific Method is not applicable for assessing the validity of climate change claims, as climate is “too complicated,” and 2) as I have explained in earlier commentaries (e.g., here), progressives have specifically attacked the Scientific Method, so that it is no longer taught in almost any K-12 US schools (thanks to the acceptance of the progressive NGSS by some 49 states).

My unsolicited advice is for Steyn to take on Mann about Science. Starting with the definition of Science (“Science is a process”), to what is the main process (the Scientific Method). It’s a major asset that it already appears that the Judge is aware of, and is favorably disposed to, the Scientific Method.

The Scientific Method can be traced back some 4000 years (e.g., here and here) — and was heavily relied on by essentially every notable scientist in history (Newton, Curie, Einstein, etc.). That progressives are trying to now throw it in the trash should indeed be vigorously challenged — and this seems like a superior venue.

Steyn should also make it clear that what Mann calls science is really political science. I can not overstate the significance of this distinction. We are inundated with activist scientists who arbitrarily discard the standards of real Science (the process), and substitute their own. Their rationale for this abrogation is the end justifies the means. This is relevant in this trial, as that appears to be exactly what Mann did with the hockey stick graph. (See this excellent detailed discussion about Mann’s graph.)

Mann and Greta Thunberg are birds of a feather. The most relevant difference is that Mann has significantly more academic credentials. He should know better as to what Science is, what the Scientific Method is, what Critical Thinking is, etc. What that translates to is that considering Mann’s dissipations, the sin is greater for him.

If Steyn plays his cards right, he has a superior opportunity to expose Mann’s turpitudes. Ideally, that in turn, could bring about a penitential response by Mann, to begin to make amends for the horrific influence his actions have had on the world, and on genuine Science.

The takeaway here is that Steyn is an odds-on favorite to win this case, based on the merits of either (or both) Science and Free Speech, plus the fact that the judge seems inclined to be serious about this, rather than play politics. Even though Steyn is in poor health, he is still an eloquent presenter — so this should be savored…

Some other sample references of interest:

Watch the Mann-Steyn Trial Live
Mann v. Steyn Finally Gets Under Way
The link between 'defending Michael Mann is defending climate science' seems to have been broken
Archive: Judge Strikes All of Michael Mann's Expert Witnesses from Libel Suit
Climate Trial of the Century
Mann v. Steyn Goes to Trial After 12 Years
Mann’s defamation case reveals what critics say is unethical behavior
Climate Alarmist Mann is Not Paying a Penny for his Army of Lawyers!
Michael Mann Overboard
Mann v Ball: How Mann is Losing (an earlier interesting Mann lawsuit)

Some trial reports from Mark’s Website (listed chronologically):

Day 1: Day One in Court
Day 2: Go Get 'Em, Mark!
Day 3: Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere
Day 3: Mark's Opening Statement
Weekend: Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury
Day 4: Week Two Begins
Day 4: What is Good for the Goose...
Day 5: Defendants for Life
Day 6: Consequences
Day 6: The End is Nigh
Day 7: Will the Real Slim Shady Please Stand Up?
Day 8: Week Three Begins
Day 8: The Emperor Has No Clothes
Weekend: Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
Weekend: Week Three Begins
Day 9: Obfuscation
Day 10: Best Laid Plans
Day 10: A Fraud Upon the Court
Day 11: The Best Defense is a Good Offense
Weekend: A Se'nnight of Steyn
Weekend: Time Flies... When You're Having Fun?
Day 12: Hockey Stick Warfare
Day 13: Spaghetti Alfredo for One
Day 13: Objection... Overruled
Day 14: Michael Mann is Not a Victim

Here are other materials by this scientist that you might find interesting:

My Substack Commentaries for 2023 (arranged by topic)
Check out the chronological Archives of my entire Critical Thinking substack.
WiseEnergy.org: discusses the Science (or lack thereof) behind our energy options.
C19Science.info: covers the lack of genuine Science behind our COVID-19 policies.
Election-Integrity.info: multiple major reports on the election integrity issue.
Media Balance Newsletter: a free, twice-a-month newsletter that covers what the mainstream media does not do, on issues from COVID to climate, elections to education, renewables to religion, etc. Here are the Newsletter’s 2023 Archives. Please send me an email to get your free copy. When emailing me, please make sure to include your full name and the state where you live. (Of course, you can cancel the Media Balance Newsletter at any time - but why would you?

Critically Thinking About Select Societal Issues

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