Tyrannosaurus Rex Highlights Problems with Global Warming Models

I usually rail on global warming models by saying the models are fallible. They can change depending on what variables are plugged in, which are given priority, etc. But I don't think enough people understand why this is important.

So, let's take an example of something you figure a computer model could figure out very easily. The running speed of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. We have several complete skeletons of these in museums and for research. Given what is known about the species and dinosaurs in general; you'd think that ascertaining their running speed would be a piece of cake wouldn't you? Not so.

According to Wikipedia, we have several theories on its running speed. Some people claim its maximum speed was 11 mph. Other sites note that it's maximum speed would have been up to 45 mph. Quite a difference. Using physics models, in 2002, physicists decided that:

Given the extensive unknowns, the pair hesitate to put a specific upper bound on the maximum speed of T. rex. "Speeds of 11 m/s [25 mph] would be pushing it," says Hutchinson, "but 20 m/s [45 mph] is not reasonable."

Improved models today show that the Tyrannosaurus Rex was a slower moving creature, needing to take its weight (for balance) into consideration, probably making it slower - like an elephant - rather than quick and agile - like a bird.

The model results, detailed in the June 21 issue of the Journal of Theoretical Biology, also showed that T. rex would have had considerable inertia preventing it from turning quickly; a 45-degree turn would have taken one or two seconds — far longer than for a human.

These calculations lend further support to previous research indicating that the large tyrannosaurs could run no faster than 25 mph (and certainly not the 45 mph seen in some movies), because its leg muscles weren't big enough for fast running.

So, now we will have debate about the top speed of a Tyrannosaurus Rex; one based on computer models and another that is also based on computer models. We have complete skeletons of this dinosaur, so we know -far- more about the T. Rex than we know about our planet and its environment.

But this set of computer models shows distinctly different data than other computer models. Isn't it safe to say that environmental computer models show the exact same thing? And doesn't this bring this article into focus just a little bit more?