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THE SCIENCE AND CONSPIRACY OF WEATHER MANIPULATION By Berit Anderson Why Read: Weather manipulation has become a point of political polarization, but the science behind it is real (if varied in its results). The use of cloud seeding in particular is increasing in countries around the world as they struggle with drought, wildfire, and water scarcity. This week's issue is a primer on the science and technology being used, what works, and its capacity to ease climate-related water management issues. ______ The Political Weaponization of Weather Manipulation Like most inane online exchanges, it began in a Facebook group. As an information-warfare expert, I find it useful to join groups across the political spectrum. The conversations and the narratives adopted are often illustrative of what current issues or memes are being weaponized by actors across platforms. If people online are getting really outraged about something, it's often because that topic is being accelerated or manipulated by sock-puppet accounts designed to spread misinformation. After Trump's win, a group I'd joined several elections ago suddenly became reinvigorated with posts from irate Democrats asking for advice about how to determine whether their friends and neighbors had voted for "him." Many were purging the friendships of anyone they suspected. In light of a rumor going around the far right that Biden had caused Hurricane Helene, one person suggested bringing up governmental weather manipulation as a conversational test balloon. A neighbor they'd raised the subject with, they said, had taken the bait, replying that the government had been manipulating the weather for years. The offending party had consequently been moved to the poster's no-contact list. No cup of sugar would be sought at their door. The thread erupted in ridiculous laughing emojis. "What idiots!" seemed to be the general consensus. It was an unfortunate exchange in many ways. First, cancel culture in general is a cancer on American society. It's isolating and antithetical to the cause at hand, whatever that cause may be. Second, the idea upon which they were basing this canceled friendship - the "Biden caused Helene" conspiracy theory - itself is false. But because academics and government agencies have been using weather manipulation for years in attempts to obtain military advantage, modify weather events, and stimulate rain and snowfall in drought-ridden areas, it's not hard to see how someone might be manipulated into believing this unfounded rumor. |
