The Des Moines Register has an editorial in favor of "The Day After Tomorrow." The premise? Because it "conjures debates" about global warming, the movie is important despite being another cheesy disaster flick.



Obviously exaggerated misinformation and bad science adds legitimacy to the global warming debate? What color is the sky in your world?



The Register rightly points out: "Global warming is pegged by some as a bunch of hot air - a creation of tree-hugging, environmentalists who want all of America to eat granola and ride bikes." Yep. And a demonstrably false, laughably overhyped movie funded by people who are associated with the global warming movement is supposed to undercut that opinion?



If a philosophical world view could be viewed as 'contagious' and adherents actively trying to 'infect' others by converting them, then when a mutation of the philosophy evolves that is demonstrably false or foolish the false hybrid can act as an innoculation by closing the mind of the subject against the original philosophy as well. I'm sure there is some technical psychological label for this - if anyone knows please post it in the comments. I call it the 'innoculation effect' for lack of a better term.



I find it more than a bit ironic that the environmental movement is actively promoting its own poison pill.



UPDATE: An interesting debate in the comments forces me to make the following admission: Although it's my position that the movie won't generate reasoned discussion regarding global warming, I must at least admit it will generate debate regarding whether or not it will generate discussion. Because we're having a discussion.



UPDATE UPDATE: For additional authority on extremist views sabotaging a cause, check out this column in the Boston Globe about the removal of a microscopic cross from the Los Angeles County Seal. The premise: "When secularists go after a tiny cross on a county seal or Christmas decorations at a firehouse, they lend substance to the 'religious persecution' complex -- and play right into the extremists' hands." Spotted on the Volokh Conspiracy.



(No, I'm not saying it proves my point. Just that lots and lots of people agree with me. So there. Nyah.)