What might appear to be common sense is not always based on scientific evidence

The term “evidence” has a fascinating linguistic and social history – and it’s a good reminder that even today the truth of scientific evidence depends on it being presented in a convincing way.

The quest for scientific evidence can trace its
roots back to the classic masters of rhetoric.

As recent climate change scepticism shows, the fortunes of scientific evidence can be swayed by something as fleeting as a tweet.

But what does it even mean to speak of “scientific evidence”?

History reveals that scientific forms of evidence have rarely, if ever, been detached from rhetoric. In fact, the very idea of evidence has its origins within the context of classical rhetoric, the art of persuasion.

Read the piece from The Conversation by a Research Fellow from The University of Queensland,  James A. T. Lancaster - “What might appear to be common sense is not always based on scientific evidence.”

Unusual hot spell for Victoria and Tasmania driven by warm seas, stable systems

Victorians mopping up after recent heavy rain could be forgiven if they were too busy to reflect for long on the remarkable heat that precede the downpours.

St Kilda beach during one of record-breaking stint of
warm evenings in Melbourne last month.

The Bureau of Meteorology, though, has tallied the many records for Victoria and Tasmania during the blistering end to spring in a special report it released on Monday. 

Despite a cool start to last month – which has returned for the start of December – southern Victoria had its second-warmest November on record, behind only 2009.

In Melbourne, the 12 November days with temperatures topping 30 degrees eclipsed the previous record of 10, set in 2009.

Read Peter Hannam’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Unusual hot spell for Victoria and Tasmania driven by warm seas, stable systems.”