Thanks for a thought provoking article. If I read you correctly you are unaware of research on the cognitive impact of elevated CO2 levels. However the paper “Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic compound Exposures in Office Workers: A Controlled Exposure Study of Green and Conventional Office Environments” was issued at Harvard in 2016.
It studied 9 cognitive domains in the CO2 range from about 450 ppm to 1600 ppm. The findings included “On average, a 400-ppm increase in CO2 was associated with a 21% decrease in a typical participant’s cognitive scores across all domains”
Admittedly these were for an indoor environment but, significantly, you observe that indoor CO2 levels are likely to be higher than outdoors. It thus seems pertinent that current outdoor levels are edging close to the lower limits of the above study.
Additionally, had the study been extrapolated backwards, it would seem unlikely that the observed trends only started at the lower bound of the study. i.e. it would seem probable that we are already operating with CO2-compromised cognitive function.
Look carefully, Lindsay, the paper you mention is cited in our recent paper; you can find the link in the post. It is indeed one of the papers that support our contention that CO2 is a poison even at relatively low concentrations. You have a good point that it is unlikely that the negative effects started at the lower limits studied in the paper. After all, none of our ancestors lived in an atmosphere that had more than 280 ppm of CO2. Are we dumber than them? Just turn on the TV and judge by yourself!
That's a very tempting invitation, thanks, but I feel like I should ask for a job description! I'm no specialist in that area - I "specialise in being a generalist" across a sweep of climate issues, so would want to know that I could contribute in a worthwhile way... How's that for sitting on the fence?! Any insights welcome.
That's what we are looking for. Generalists who can see beyond their narrow field. And you can sit on the fence, if you like! If you feel you would like to join, send me your email at name.surname gmail
And so the world turns with no thoughts given to the microscopic life existing on,in, and above it. Empire follows Empire, species thrive and fail. We specimens of the human species have the arrogance to believe we can control our destiny.
il tuo articolo da' per scontato che le elites mettano in atto tutti gli accorgimenti possibili immaginabili per evitare la morte. Probabilmente questo è certamente vero per le elites occidentali, con la loro celebrazione forsennata dell'individualismo. Ma siamo proprio sicuri che Khamenei, quasi 87 anni, avesse tutto questo interesse a evitare la sua sorte? Può darsi che abbia pensato che era meglio dare l'esempio morendo da martire e lasciare il suo posto ad altri. E' vero che ogni domenica ci sono certuni che continuano a celebrare un povero cristo che ha fatto tanti proseliti con il suo martirio, millenni fa , ma con il tempo l'idea è diventata così strana e ostica in occidente , che diventa difficile anche solo prenderla in considerazione. Ma la cosa non suonava così strampalata al tempo dei primi cristiani! E se la tecnologia ha reso fin troppo facile stroncare questo o quel particolare individuo, certi meme hanno dimostrato di saper trascendere le individualità e sono sopravvisure grazie alla loro resilienza Sarà così anche questa volta, sul lungo termine? << Se tu mi abbatti, Vader, diventerò più potente di quanto tu possa immaginare>>: da un film occidentale che si ispirava vagamente al misticismo orientale. Ma per citare qualcosa di ancor più occidentale, un tema che meno di un secolo eccitava l'immaginazione di uno scrittore di opere fantasy:<< Addio Messere Holbytla! Il mio corpo è a pezzi. Torno dai miei padri. Ma anche in loro compagnia non avrò da vergognarmi. Ho abbattuto il serpente nero. Un mattino spietato, un giorno felice, un tramonto dorato>>.
With Khamenei, major opponent of nuclear armament martyred, nothing prevents the Islamic Republic anymore to develop a hypersonic nuclear arsenal that can reach every major US city in a few minutes. Quite a few countries will be (silently) supportive of such an effort, having the ultimate proof that the US is a nonnegotiable country with a track record of violating every treaty, international law and even considering its troops as lab rats to be sacrificed on the altar of hegemony for a regime a la Epstein - by some labeled as satanic.
In the First World War British generals were known as ‘Chateaux Generals’ because they stayed in luxurious homes located miles behind the front. This made sense strategically; locating the generals and their staff away from the immediate conflict gave them time and space to plan and to organize logistics.
But it created a bad impression (the whole ‘lions lead by donkeys’ meme).
Like most memes it was only half right ― in fact, many British generals were killed, wounded or captured. (One report says 18% of the total.) Evidently, other armies experienced the same number of losses of senior staff.
Regarding AI, the argument about using Claude to support combat operations shows how important this topic has become.
The type of weapons you are referring to were already mentioned in a book written in 2017. I read it in 2020 without really understanding what it was about. Now I understand better. It seems that we are witnessing the establishment of a new “balance of terror” between those who control these technologies.
You don't understand my point, Matthew. I argue that excess CO2 must be removed because it is a metabolic poison. Aerosol masking has nothing to do with that.
You don't understand my point: accelerated warming poses a far greater risk than any putative "poisoning" for which the evidence is minimal, at best.
There is no "solution" because we can't maintain current levels of industrial activity anyway and the global population will peak soon, as you rightly point out.
Thanks for a thought provoking article. If I read you correctly you are unaware of research on the cognitive impact of elevated CO2 levels. However the paper “Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic compound Exposures in Office Workers: A Controlled Exposure Study of Green and Conventional Office Environments” was issued at Harvard in 2016.
It studied 9 cognitive domains in the CO2 range from about 450 ppm to 1600 ppm. The findings included “On average, a 400-ppm increase in CO2 was associated with a 21% decrease in a typical participant’s cognitive scores across all domains”
Admittedly these were for an indoor environment but, significantly, you observe that indoor CO2 levels are likely to be higher than outdoors. It thus seems pertinent that current outdoor levels are edging close to the lower limits of the above study.
Additionally, had the study been extrapolated backwards, it would seem unlikely that the observed trends only started at the lower bound of the study. i.e. it would seem probable that we are already operating with CO2-compromised cognitive function.
Look carefully, Lindsay, the paper you mention is cited in our recent paper; you can find the link in the post. It is indeed one of the papers that support our contention that CO2 is a poison even at relatively low concentrations. You have a good point that it is unlikely that the negative effects started at the lower limits studied in the paper. After all, none of our ancestors lived in an atmosphere that had more than 280 ppm of CO2. Are we dumber than them? Just turn on the TV and judge by yourself!
Thanks Ugo, and apologies for the misunderstanding. I appreciate the correction.
Thanks to you for your interest! Would you like to join my discussion group on the biological effects of CO2?
That's a very tempting invitation, thanks, but I feel like I should ask for a job description! I'm no specialist in that area - I "specialise in being a generalist" across a sweep of climate issues, so would want to know that I could contribute in a worthwhile way... How's that for sitting on the fence?! Any insights welcome.
That's what we are looking for. Generalists who can see beyond their narrow field. And you can sit on the fence, if you like! If you feel you would like to join, send me your email at name.surname gmail
Thanks. Done
And so the world turns with no thoughts given to the microscopic life existing on,in, and above it. Empire follows Empire, species thrive and fail. We specimens of the human species have the arrogance to believe we can control our destiny.
So it goes (Kurt Vonnegut)
Thanks Ugo. We are all subject to attrition by our elite masters, as global economy goes Seneca's Cliff-Diving.
;-(
Ciao Ugo,
il tuo articolo da' per scontato che le elites mettano in atto tutti gli accorgimenti possibili immaginabili per evitare la morte. Probabilmente questo è certamente vero per le elites occidentali, con la loro celebrazione forsennata dell'individualismo. Ma siamo proprio sicuri che Khamenei, quasi 87 anni, avesse tutto questo interesse a evitare la sua sorte? Può darsi che abbia pensato che era meglio dare l'esempio morendo da martire e lasciare il suo posto ad altri. E' vero che ogni domenica ci sono certuni che continuano a celebrare un povero cristo che ha fatto tanti proseliti con il suo martirio, millenni fa , ma con il tempo l'idea è diventata così strana e ostica in occidente , che diventa difficile anche solo prenderla in considerazione. Ma la cosa non suonava così strampalata al tempo dei primi cristiani! E se la tecnologia ha reso fin troppo facile stroncare questo o quel particolare individuo, certi meme hanno dimostrato di saper trascendere le individualità e sono sopravvisure grazie alla loro resilienza Sarà così anche questa volta, sul lungo termine? << Se tu mi abbatti, Vader, diventerò più potente di quanto tu possa immaginare>>: da un film occidentale che si ispirava vagamente al misticismo orientale. Ma per citare qualcosa di ancor più occidentale, un tema che meno di un secolo eccitava l'immaginazione di uno scrittore di opere fantasy:<< Addio Messere Holbytla! Il mio corpo è a pezzi. Torno dai miei padri. Ma anche in loro compagnia non avrò da vergognarmi. Ho abbattuto il serpente nero. Un mattino spietato, un giorno felice, un tramonto dorato>>.
Vero. C'è chi dice che Khamenei si è offerto come martire. E' possibile, anche se non sappiamo i dettagli di quello che è successo.
With Khamenei, major opponent of nuclear armament martyred, nothing prevents the Islamic Republic anymore to develop a hypersonic nuclear arsenal that can reach every major US city in a few minutes. Quite a few countries will be (silently) supportive of such an effort, having the ultimate proof that the US is a nonnegotiable country with a track record of violating every treaty, international law and even considering its troops as lab rats to be sacrificed on the altar of hegemony for a regime a la Epstein - by some labeled as satanic.
In the First World War British generals were known as ‘Chateaux Generals’ because they stayed in luxurious homes located miles behind the front. This made sense strategically; locating the generals and their staff away from the immediate conflict gave them time and space to plan and to organize logistics.
But it created a bad impression (the whole ‘lions lead by donkeys’ meme).
Like most memes it was only half right ― in fact, many British generals were killed, wounded or captured. (One report says 18% of the total.) Evidently, other armies experienced the same number of losses of senior staff.
Regarding AI, the argument about using Claude to support combat operations shows how important this topic has become.
At that time, it was still reasonably feasible to stay outside and watch the battle from afar.
In Czech language, some still say "Shah Mat" - I heard it playing with a friend, although more formally they say it a different way.
Scott Ritter's recent posting is also instructive regarding the ease of killing Iran's leader, Ugo: https://substack.com/home/post/p-189458687
The type of weapons you are referring to were already mentioned in a book written in 2017. I read it in 2020 without really understanding what it was about. Now I understand better. It seems that we are witnessing the establishment of a new “balance of terror” between those who control these technologies.
Your proposed "solution" will actually accelerate global warming thanks to aerosol masking.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2211.16115
You don't understand my point, Matthew. I argue that excess CO2 must be removed because it is a metabolic poison. Aerosol masking has nothing to do with that.
You don't understand my point: accelerated warming poses a far greater risk than any putative "poisoning" for which the evidence is minimal, at best.
There is no "solution" because we can't maintain current levels of industrial activity anyway and the global population will peak soon, as you rightly point out.
We're pretty much fucked regardless.
You confirm that you don't understand my point.