More on Anthony Watts

Climate sceptic blogger Anthony Watts drew attention to himself with his ill-advised attempt to remove a YouTube video that criticised him. What do we know about his views?

Vostok Station, Antarctica. Location of the lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth, −89.2°C  on July 21, 1983.	(Todd Sowers)

The blogger Anthony Watts may well be familiar to many regular WordPress.com users – his posts often appear on the WordPress.com front page thanks to his high readership figures. In fact he frequently gets a higher readership than the Arsenal Football Club blogs, another big favourite on WordPress.com.

Two weeks ago Anthony Watts became better known outside the WordPress.com blogging community when he issued a DMCA takedown notice against a YouTube video produced by Peter Sinclair (see the post “Global warming, legal chill”).

A DMCA takedown notice is a claim of copyright infringement under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. It results in the automatic removal of the video by the service provider, but a counter notice process is then available to the opposing party.

The video in question, “Watts Up With Watts?”, was part of Sinclair’s “Climate Denial Crock Of the Week” series. It debunked Watts’ claim that poorly sited surface weather stations in the U.S. make the U.S. temperature record unreliable.

The video was put back on YouTube after lawyers checked the copyright issue. Viewing figures for the “Watts Up With Watts?” video trebled. The “Streisand effect” was operating – bad news for Watts, good news for Sinclair.

Thanks to his ill-advised and unsuccessful attempt to suppress criticism of his claims, Anthony Watts has achieved a degree of prominence among those concerned about legal chill. Who is he? What are his views on matters beyond climate change?

Watts’ Expertise

	Tamino On Watts’ Statistics Exclamation Points !!! February 3, 2008 What’s Up With That? March 2, 2008 How Not to Analyze Data, part 1 March 27, 2008 How Not to Analyze Data, part Deux March 30, 2008 How Not to Analyze Data, part 3 April 1, 2008 How Not to Analyze Data, part 4 April 7, 2008
	Table 1:  Tamino’s blog posts analysing Anthony Watts’ data analysis efforts.

First of all, what is Anthony Watts’ scientific and mathematical expertise?

From his blog posts, it becomes clear that he simply cannot perform basic data analysis tasks. Tamino’s “Open Mind” blog has explained several of Watts’ data analysis gaffes. I’ve listed some of those posts in Table 1.

Statistical analysis isn’t his thing then. What about basic physics? Earlier this year, his blog carried a guest post claiming that CO₂ ice could freeze out of the air in Antarctica. That seemed like a “reasonable statement” to him:

A couple of days ago WUWT carried a story, talking about intense cold in Antarctica, carbon dioxide, and the icecap of Mars. This one passage stirred up a significant debate:

According to Weather Underground, Vostok, Antarctica is forecast to reach −113F on Friday. That is four degrees below the freezing point of CO2 and would cause dry (CO2) ice to freeze directly out of the air.

It seemed (at the time) a reasonable statement.
[...]
Thanks to everyone who participated in the debate [...] We all learned something, we had a little fun, some online yelling occurred, and some egos were bruised.

Anthony Watts,
Watts Up With That, June 13, 2009 ^[1]

Even his own readers were embarrassed by that one. Partial vapour pressure is something Watts had to learn about from comments on his blog. He clearly doesn’t know much physics either. Understanding vapour pressure is essential in meteorology. Watts’ ignorance of the concept illustrates the difference between a professional meteorologist and a TV weatherman.

As it happens, Watts’ ignorance isn’t confined to science. When explaining his reasons for submitting the DMCA takedown notice to YouTube, he had this to say about copyright law:

But since he had used that © symbol, Mr. Sinclair demonstrated awareness of copyright protections, having availed himself of them,
[...]
I also figured that this might be a teachable moment,
[...]
And, I mused, by bringing the copyright issue to his attention, I’d probably be doing him a favor, since I surmised he’d be at risk for using the film clips.
[...]
But my copyright had been ignored, with evidence that Mr. Sinclair as a publisher himself using the © symbol understands copyrights, and WB’s copyright also looked like it also had been ignored. And well, lets face it, he got the facts wrong about the project and never contacted or interviewed me to get any facts from my side (more on that later). So it could hardly be defined as “journalism” and the protections that such enterprise affords for “fair use”. So I filled out the form for copyright issues on YouTube, and pressed enter.

Anthony Watts,
Watts Up With That, July 30, 2009 ^[2]

Here’s what Joe Romm thought of Watts’ bizarre misunderstanding of copyright law and the fair use doctrine ^[3]:

Yes, a man who knows less about copyright laws than your average sidewalk vendor of fake Rolexes thinks he can teach Sinclair about copyright law. Apparently, in Watts’ view of the law, if you don’t contact or interview the copyright holder – and if you get the facts wrong from the perspective of the copyright holder – the “fair use” doctine is null and void.

Joseph Romm,
Climate Progress, August 2, 2009 ^[3]

Anthony Watts doesn’t understand basic maths and physics, but it’s not just a case of scientific illiteracy alone. His ignorance of copyright law suggests rather broader failings.

Watts On Creationism

Anthony Watts served on the Chico Unified School District board for four years from 2002–06. He ran for re-election, unsuccessfully, in 2006. For context, this was his video message for the school board election:

Anthony Watts’ candidate message

Chico Unified School District

During the campaign there was a Q&A session on a local blog ^[4]. Watts was asked for his opinion on the teaching of creationism in schools. This is the question and his reply:

Question:  There has recently been a surge in people running for school boards in order to influence the teaching (or non-teaching) of evolution or creationism. What are your thoughts on the teaching of these two subjects in public schools?

I have no designs on either issue, as neither is part of my platform. But I do believe in balance, and if one subject is taught, the opposing view should also get attention. Ultimately, parents should discuss religion with their children, as it is a personal choice. The debate over creationism versus evolution goes back decades, and is now part of our American History. A student needs to know that history to make an intelligent choice about how they view religion.

Anthony Watts,
NorCal blogs, August 23, 2006 ^[4]

For Anthony Watts, teaching creationism is about “balance” and ensuring the “opposing view” gets attention.

In fact climate change scepticism and creationism go together remarkably often. Here is climate sceptic Roy Spencer’s thinking on evolution and intelligent design ^[5]:

Twenty years ago, as a PhD scientist, I intensely studied the evolution versus intelligent design controversy for about two years. And finally, despite my previous acceptance of evolutionary theory as “fact,” I came to the realization that intelligent design, as a theory of origins, is no more religious, and no less scientific, than evolutionism.

Roy Spencer,
TCS Daily, August 8, 2005 ^[5]

Watts on Blogger Anonymity

Anthony Watts opposes anonymity on blogs ^[6]:

One of the things that has always bothered me about blogging and commentary is that the “anonymous cowards” (as Slashdot calls them) generally have the upper hand. Science bloggers like Tamino and Eli Rabbet fall into the “anonymous coward” category, as do many of the rude posters here and elsewhere.

Anthony Watts,
Watts Up With That, June 13, 2008 ^[6]

He certainly likes to know who his critics are. When he does know the name of a critic, however, his behaviour becomes rather odd. He knows the identity of Peter Sinclair, for example. Disturbingly, he used that information to start checking on Sinclair’s children, and posting that information on his blog. Here he claims – incorrectly ^[3] – that he has discovered the age and political leanings of Sinclair’s son:

He is not a college student, though he has a son who is of college age, a nice Ron Paul supporter, I am told from someone who has met him. His rather conservative son, contrasts the rather left-wing eco-activist [...] father.

Anthony Watts,
Watts Up With That, July 30, 2009 ^[2]

His actions in this case shed new light on his complaints about anonymous critics.

Watts’ Politics

What are Anthony Watts’ political allegiances? He ran for office three years ago in a local county election. His allies in that election give a rough idea of where he fits in.

Watts ran for the office of Butte County’s 3rd District Supervisor ^[7] in 2006, building on his name recognition as a local TV weatherman. He withdrew from the race before the election was held, however, on the grounds that there was “not enough Anthony to go around” ^[8]:

Anthony Watts is seeking higher office, and this time he plans on actually campaigning.

Watts, a TV weatherman for more than two decades, was elected to the Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees in November 2002, by a vote that he concedes was partly due to name recognition.
[...]
Watts, who decided a couple of weeks ago to no longer regularly appear on-air for Channels 24 and 12, hopes to follow in the footsteps of Stan Statham, who was a newscaster at KHSL-TV and later a state Assemblyman.

“As I see it, being well-known has positive advantage for the constituents and the county (or any elected position). The reason? People feel like they know me, and are comfortable talking to me,” he said.

Devanie Angel,
Chico News & Review, December 1, 2005 ^[7]

In an editorial titled “Watts’ political baggage”, the Chico News & Review wasn’t impressed by Anthony Watts’ political allies ^[9]:

When Anthony Watts announced his candidacy for Butte County’s 3rd District Supervisor seat this week, the presence of those on hand to show their support probably says more about the political direction of Watts’ candidacy than the words he spoke.

Watts has on his side former Butte County Sheriff Mick Grey, whose career is best remembered for guard-orchestrated inmate beatings in the county jail that cost the county plenty in a court settlements and an extra-marital affair made public when the woman involved sued Grey; unscrupulous 5th District Supervisor Kim Yamaguchi, who four years ago infamously tried to implement Plan 5, which would have redrawn the supervisor districts in order to oust the only two moderates on the board; [...]
[...]
Judging by Watt’s lineup of support, it’s clear from the get-go that he’s running from the right wing to try to replace the moderate Republican Mary Anne Houx, who has already endorsed City Councilmember Maureen Kirk for the job.

Editorial,
Chico News & Review, December 1, 2005 ^[9]

Watts’ peculiar in-and-out campaign in local politics gives a rough indication of his political views. He was “running from the right wing to try to replace the moderate Republican”.

Watts On Brick Tamland

Anchorman:  Ron Burgundy Dreamworks LLC

Anthony Watts worked as a TV weatherman for 17 years at KHSL–TV, before leaving in 2004.

It is a broadcasting cliché that the weather presenter doesn’t need to be the smartest guy in the newsroom, and therefore usually isn’t. That little observation gets stretched into an extreme parody in the movie “Anchorman:  The Legend of Ron Burgundy”, where the TV station’s weather presenter Brick Tamland (played by Steve Carell) is portrayed as having an IQ of 48:

Brick Tamland:  Weatherman …or “broadcast meteorologist”

Dreamworks LLC

Peter Sinclair’s “Watts Up With Watts?” video opens with a nine-second clip of a TV weather forecast. It’s an excerpt from “Anchorman”, and yes, Brick Tamland is the weatherman. Watts has taken this rather personally:

There was also a Warner Brothers video clip from the movie “Anchorman” with a segment about the incompetent TV weatherman which I assume was added to portray me in my chosen career,

Anthony Watts,
Watts Up With That, July 30, 2009 ^[2]

Anthony Watts seems to be very sensitive about references to Brick Tamland. Even a nine second excerpt of Brick’s “middle east” gaffe had him complaining about it on his blog.

Watts On CBS

Here’s a small quirk to finish on. What’s Watts’ beef with CBS?

Watts worked as a weather presenter for a local TV station, KHSL–TV, in Chico, California from 1987 to 2004. After seventeen years of loyal service at that TV station, he made way for a younger presenter. The TV station is a CBS affiliate. Amusingly, Watts now likes to take sideswipes at CBS on his blog, and then encourages his readers to send complaints to CBS:

Once you watch the show, you can decide for yourself and contact CBS Media Relations to tell them what you thought about it.

Anthony Watts,
Watts Up With That, January 19, 2008 ^[10]

Here’s another swipe at CBS:

There will be a story featuring Al Gore and his climate views on CBS 60 minutes this weekend. Normally I don’t pay much heed to this program, …
[...]
That email is listed on the CBS website, so it is fair to send comments to it. In fact, here is a contact list they have on their website where you can comment about this story. I feel it is important to respond and to spread the word to others.

Anthony Watts,
Watts Up With That, March 27, 2008 ^[11]

I don’t know what Watts’ association with CBS is, apart from a tenuous link through a former employer, and I don’t know what his grievance is, but the running feud is fun to watch.

The “Watts Up With Watts?” Video

Here, again, is the “Watts Up With Watts?” video that Anthony Watts tried to remove from YouTube.

Look out for the clips showing Watts’ surfacestations.org report at 2:42 and 4:05 into the video. That’s what Watts issued the DMCA takedown notice for.

Climate Denial Crock of the Week Watts Up With Watts?

Peter Sinclair

Related Posts

• Global warming, legal chill
• Watts update: “Watts Up With Watts?” video checked for copyright, reposted
• DMCA takedown misuse: two cautionary tales

References

1. Results: Lab experiment regarding CO2 “snow” in Antarctica at −113°F (−80.5°C) – not possible, Anthony Watts, “Watts Up With That?” blog, June 13, 2009
2. On Climate, Comedy, Copyrights, and Cinematography, Anthony Watts, “Watts Up With That?” blog, July 30, 2009
3. Exclusive: Watts offers ‘inanity defense’ for his effort to censor Sinclair’s video, saying he was “doing him a favor.” Sinclair replies, “His reaction pretty much confirmed that my psychological profiling was dead on”, Joseph Romm, Climate Progress blog, August 2, 2009
4. Anthony Watts, NorCal blogs, August 23, 2006
5. Faith-Based Evolution, Roy Spencer, TCS Daily, August 8, 2005
6. I’m considering a blog policy change, Anthony Watts, “Watts Up With That?” blog, June 13, 2008
7. Watts is up, Devanie Angel, Chico News & Review, December 1, 2005
8. One out, one in, one on, Josh Indar, Chico News & Review, March 16, 2006
9. Watts’ political baggage, Editorial, Chico News & Review, December 1, 2005
10. CBS News to preempt 60 Minutes for global warming special Sunday Jan 20th, Anthony Watts, “Watts Up With That?” blog, January 19, 2008
11. Gore to throw insults on 60 minutes, Anthony Watts, “Watts Up With That?” blog, March 27, 2008

 < Edit August 10, 2009:  Add “Watts’ Politics” section. >