More fool you

In a recent program, Rush Limbaugh apparently spent time elaborating on a non-existent paper in a bogus journal that claimed that the rise in CO2 in our atmosphere stems not from human endeavor, but from benthic bacteria, which is a hoax formulated by Welsh novelist David Thorpe to lure unwary pundits. Goes to show what an idiot Rush Limbaugh is and how he dupes his listeners. Here's an excerpt from an interview by Nature with Thorpe:

Why did you decide to construct the fake website? Was it purely a joke or did you set out to make people taking your paper at face value look foolish?

Thorpe: Its purpose was to expose the credulity and scientific illiteracy of many of the people who call themselves climate sceptics. While dismissive of the work of the great majority of climate scientists, they will believe almost anything if it lends support to their position. Their approach to climate science is the opposite of scepticism.

Are you surprised at the pick up your coverage has generated?

Thorpe: Not really. Equally ridiculous claims - like those in the paper attached to the "Oregon Petition" or David Bellamy's dodgy glacier figures - have been widely circulated and taken up by the ‘sceptic’ community. But you can explain this until you are blue in the face. To get people to sit up and listen, you have to demonstrate it. This is what I set out to do.

How quickly did you expect people to realise that your paper was fake?

Thorpe: In the Age of Google, hoaxes can't last for very long. But it hooked quite a few prominent sceptics before it was exposed. According to the various exposes now circulating online, among others, Rush Limbaugh broadcast it on his programme... Benny Peiser sent it to 2000 people and Ron Bailey wrote it up in glowing terms.

How long did it take to put the site together?

Thorpe: Four days.

What would you say to those who were taken in by your spoof?

Thorpe: More fool you.

From ADAMANT: The Great CO2 Hoax

See also: Fake climate change paper from the Nature blog.