>> This has to be a typo, but it’s yet another reminder that – say it with me – you can never trust a number.
No. Never trust an answer to an overly-simplified question. Asking for the lifetime of atmospheric methane is like asking what temperature water boils at. When faced with an overly-simplistic question an intelligent respondent will generally make all sorts of assumptions. I assume he means at sea level. I assume he means on planet earth. I assume he means normal not-heavy water. Answer: 100c. This isn't about trusting answers in the form of simple numbers. Ask an overly-simple question and expect an overly-simple answer. The fault is with the asker.
It is clearly both. The correct answer to an overly simple question is that it depends. If someone is stating an answer, but leaving off the assumptions, they are doing a disservice
No. Never trust an answer to an overly-simplified question. Asking for the lifetime of atmospheric methane is like asking what temperature water boils at. When faced with an overly-simplistic question an intelligent respondent will generally make all sorts of assumptions. I assume he means at sea level. I assume he means on planet earth. I assume he means normal not-heavy water. Answer: 100c. This isn't about trusting answers in the form of simple numbers. Ask an overly-simple question and expect an overly-simple answer. The fault is with the asker.