Melting ice caps and error bars
Along with all the recent discussion of the rapidly melting Arctic ice cap, we have been treated to innumerable graphs of its decline and the various possible outcomes.
It has recently come to my attention that many of these graphs violate standard scientific protocol by not incorporating error bars. Even worse, most of those scientists who do use error bars do not use the official Error Bar that is the gold standard of research publications everywhere. Although not as well known as the Standard Kilogram or Metre, there is a similar official, standard Error Bar that is certified and stored in the same manner.
This is a photograph of the International Standard Error-bar (ISE). The ISE is a made of a platinum–iridium alloy. Under appropriate conditions (one atmosphere of pressure at 15 degrees Celsius) the ISE is exactly 1.0000000 standard deviations in length. It has been stored in a neutral argon atmosphere in a vault at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Sèvres, France since it was developed by the great-grandson of René Descartes.
In order to reduce scientific uncertainty as much as possible, I encourage all international ice scientists and bloggers to begin using the International Standard Error-bar immediately.
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Shameful display of satire.
