Al Gore, Global Warming, And Mythology

Al Gore, Global Warming, and Mythology Mythology as an explanation to why Al Gore will not discuss the factually accuracy or inaccuracy of global warming. Why not answer the question? Recently Al Gore was asked about an English court’s ruling that there were nine factual errors in his movie “An Inconvenient Truth”. It was evident that Mr. Gore would not respond to man’s question about the courts ruling. As a professor of ancient history and mythology I was intrigued as to why Mr. Gore purposely evaded the question. Other than not wanting to admit that he had indeed made some mistakes, I thought there was good reason to keep the argument of “Global Warming” in the realm of myth. What is meant by that is discussed below. The word “Myth” When one brings up the word “myth” traditionally the hearer thinks of stories that are connected with some being, hero, or event that usually has some deity or demigod to explain a rite, practice, or natural phenomena. However, myths are more than primitive fiction, fables told to children, or stores about Greek and Roman gods. Anciently the word myth, from the Greek word mythos meant story, history or word. The reason for Myths Myths are the human mind working with life experiences attempting to develop explanations and encouragement to guide us in life. Through the use of symbols and narrative, myths offer a vision of reality consisting of some fact and or human experience woven in a tapestry of imaginative language to present an inner meaning to life’s challenges. Thus, it can be said that humans are myth-making animals. We use stories and words (myths) to pass on values, morals, societal norms, aspirations, etc. The communal aspect Myths are communal in that they can bind a group, community, or nation together in a common ideological, psychological, or spiritually activities. They project a cultures aspirations, values, and fears. Therefore, as a political or social tool, they can be very effective in communicating the values, ideology, and accepted truths of a particular group, community, government or nation. Hitler’s use of mythology to produce, define, and legitimize a “master race” is a powerful example of how myths can be used in this manner. Let me be clear that I am not comparing Mr. Gore to Hitler or his practices. Myth and Global Warming However, one can see why it would advantageous for Mr. Gore to keep the discussion of global warming in the realm of stories (present situations or possible future possibilities), and or antidotal explanations. To declare that the debate on global warming through science is over because all the fact are in put the discussion in the domain of myth – stories, antidotes, cataclysmic warnings, fear mongering, etc. There are billions of dollars at stake for those who support global warming as an agenda to effect social policy, thus the stakes are high. Factual debate or even admission that some of the facts are wrong could lead to disastrous affects where it really counts – the pocket book. Perhaps the use of myth and its ability to unite around a common cause is why President Obama does not nor will not discuss the facts of health care – just a thought. myth. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved October 20, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myth and Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Gramercy, s.v. myth.