A Little Bit About Me
I received my Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Arizona in 1983. I was a professor of mathematics at Ohio University from 1983 to 1998, getting tenure in 1989. I was a whistleblower there (very long story) and the university bought out my tenure in 1998.
When I left OU, I found a position as “Visiting Associate Professor of Computer Science” at UC Santa Barbara. Later, this position turned into a full-time teaching (Lecturer) position and once again I got the equivalent of tenure (in 2006). I was at UCSB from 1999 to 2009.
I am the only person I have ever known who willingly gave up a tenured position twice, with all the freedom, security and support that academia provides. I loved working at UCSB. Being in the company of Nobel laureates was humbling and made me proud. But, my love of casino games was pulling me in a different direction. Leaving UCSB turned out to be the right choice.
From 2005 to my retirement in 2017, I was a consultant to the casino industry. My skills in mathematics, computer science and casino games made me uniquely qualified to do a large spectrum of work for the industry. When I left UCSB in 2009, my consulting became full-time. As a consultant, I was known for burning bridges, a person to be either loved or despised but one who always told the truth. I had very strong opinions and I backed all of them up with my own independent research and analysis. I received a lifetime achievement award at the World Game Protection Conference in February, 2022. If this sort of thing interests you, you can find out more at my gambling website or my gambling YouTube channel.
There are many out there with better backgrounds than me in climate science. There are many brilliant individuals who have devoted their lives to a particular environmental cause. Many have a real-world job that is focused on something green or renewable. There are dedicated journalists who work to expose the truth and the lies. And there are the extinction rebels and other protestors doing as great a direct service as any individual could towards trying to prevent what’s coming. I am none of those but I give thanks for all of them. I am a retired mathematician with my own particular scientific pathway that has been tangential to climate science.
However, my intention is to continue writing about the fall of global industrial civilization and the sad times that lie ahead. I hope to educate as well as to move people towards positive action within themselves and in the world. Yes, I support action, not complacency. I don’t expect to make a difference with those who deny science. Banging my head against a wall is not an activity I find worthwhile. For those who have at least one toe in the real world, I hope what I post here makes a difference.
F**k moment is the best way of putting it! A definitely good read. Equally my views
Will be reading a number of your articles. Currently working a a video which could be a different perspective on everything. Thanks for your work. Keep going. Clive
Appreciate your Twitter feedback — looking forward to your video.
Your pessimism is pushing me to be more optimistic. Thank you for that. I very much appreciate it.
You obviously don’t know Dr. Jacobson if you think he is a pessimist. How about we all become realists?
Hi Elliot, you might appreciate my ideas for a UN Charter for Ecological Justice. Find out more from my website https://poemsforparliament.uk
Ian in semi retirement and living in Cape Town South Africa where the effects of global warming and climate change are real with devastating consequences.Will love to read your articles and contributiins as a scientist
SA just barely escaped its own water nightmare 2 years ago, so you know. Thanks for visiting.
Living in the Caribbean for almost all my life,I have witnessed climate change first hand . Back in the days ( 80’s till 2017 ) Hurricane 5 were a myth only happening once every half century,well since 2017 there’re two or three H 5 event happening every years. A category 5 hurricane is deadly ….the Air has changed as the Air is often filled with dust ( sand , pesticides, polluted air in general) coming from west Africa ,and travelling all the way to thé Caribean, this event has been amplifying since 2010 and at its worst we get government notice not to do any kind of activities outside. Brown sea algaes have also been a huge problem as it’s proliferation since 2011 has been causing arms to nature , tourism industry and our health as it release sulfuric hydrogen ( harmful)when it dries up ..the 80 through 2012 were living the dream down here but in that last decade I have noticed all those changes and it s getting worse by the year …
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Hi Eliot, I really enjoyed the live “ask me anything” thank you for taking the time.
I posted a question a little too late but I’d be interested, either in you opinion here or as a spur to another perspective on our predicament.
We are unable (unwilling) to use our considerable power as a species to control a few ppm of CO2 in our atmosphere and yet we have to endure the likes of Musk et.al. proposing geo-engineering an entire planet, beyond our ability to even reach (at the moment). It seems utter madness. We must never stop reaching for the stars but this level of mass delusion is a huge distraction from the issues we face.
Thank you again for all that you do.
All the very best,
Andrew Avent
Hi Andrew,
I don’t see the question, but yes, I agree that it is utter madness.