Victor Baker

Abstract

Current international programs of global planetary change research overemphasize therole of analysis as manifested in the idealized predictions of mathematical models, a strategy thatcontains potential flaws both scientifically and as a matter of public policy. Similar methodologicalproblems have impeded progress in understanding the catastrophic processes that affectlandforms and landscapes at various spatial scales. An increased emphasis on synthetic scientificreasoning through the use of natural indexical signs can provide a more balanced scientific approachto advancing understanding in both these areas.

Keywords: global change, catastrophic processes, landscape evolution, geomorphology, modeling