I am wading through all the paperwork that I have tossed on the floor for the last 3 months and just read a review by Roger Musson (British Geologic Survey) of Sue Hough's book "Predicting the Unpredictable". That book was discussed some time ago on Earthwaves; I have not read it. The review is in the Nov 2010 issue of "Physics Today"

Some of you will enjoy the following and some will not.
The article said:
"Scientists who work in the fields of earthquake prediction and climate change studies have something in common: They often find themselves in adversarial situations with amateurs. Why do people who barely know what an earthquake is think they can predict them?. Says Charles Richter, "What ails them is exaggerated ego plus imperfect or ineffective education, so that they have not absorbed one of the fundamental rules of science-self criticism.""
(the Richter quote was from the article but also from the book).

My comments on this:
1: these are rather adversarial quotes.
2: It may be people with earth science/geology degrees working in the petroleum industry who are most mis-informed about climate change. Or, maybe "mis-informed" is not the correct term; they probably have been exposed to a little of the science (not much), but they choose what to believe.

OK, back to the pile on the floor.
Chris