Elizabeth Whitworth

Senior SEO Writer

Elizabeth has a lifelong love of books. She devours nonfiction, especially in the areas of history, theology, and philosophy. A switch to audiobooks has kindled her enjoyment of well-narrated fiction, particularly Victorian and early 20th-century works. She appreciates idea-driven books—and a classic murder mystery now and then. Elizabeth has a Substack and is writing a book about what the Bible says about death and hell.

Expertise

History, Theology, Government

Awards

Contributions to joint task force efforts (FBI), Contributions to Special Operations Division (DOJ & DEA), Efforts to fight the war on drugs (NSA), Contributions to Operation Storm Front (US Customs Service)

Climate Change Science: The Early History

What is the early history of climate change science? What role did doubt-mongering play? Addressing climate change involves regulating energy use, the keystone of economic activity. This has made it a target of doubt-mongering—an attempt to discredit the science behind it. Historians Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway discuss the early debate about climate change science in their book Merchants of Doubt. Read more to learn about early climate change science and the merchants of doubt.

Anthropogenic Global Warming: Science and Doubts

What is the truth about anthropogenic global warming? Is global warming caused by humans? These questions have been part of the climate change debate, especially since the 1992 Rio Conference. Some people and organizations see their agenda or ideology at risk, so they seek to discredit science that points to climate change—and anthropogenic global warming in particular. Historians Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway discuss this in their book Merchants of Doubt. Read more to learn about the debate surrounding the issue of anthropogenic global warming.

Business Development Process: 7 Elements of Growth

What are the components of a successful business development process? How can such a process help your business grow? In The E-Myth Revisited, Michael E. Gerber lays out the seven components of a business development process. You probably know that you need a business objective and a marketing plan, but you might not be aware of everything you need to set up your business for growth. Read more to learn the elements of the business development process.

Ozone Hole Over Antarctica? The 2 Sides of the Debate

Is there an ozone hole over Antarctica? What is the science? What doubts have been raised? People have debated the size, severity, and cause of the ozone hole over Antarctica for years. Historians Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway claim in their book Merchants of Doubt that some individuals and groups have sought to discredit some of the science because they believe it is a threat to their agenda. Read more to learn about the debate surrounding the ozone hole over Antarctica.

The Insecticide DDT: Dangers and Lies

What is the history of the debate surrounding the insecticide DDT? What doubts were raised? Were they legitimate? In 1972, the EPA banned the use of the insecticide DDT in the U.S. Despite this, certain individuals and organizations kept the controversy alive by manufacturing doubt about the underlying science. In Merchants of Doubt, historians Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway tell the story. Read more to learn how the merchants of doubt engaged in the debate surrounding DDT.

The Entrepreneurial Perspective: What Does It Entail?

Do you think like an entrepreneur? What are the elements of an entrepreneurial perspective? In The E-Myth Revisited, Michael E. Gerber suggests that you might need to think of your business in a new way. He provides an exercise for reconceptualizing your business, prompting you to think of it as though it was a prototype for thousands more. Keep reading to learn about the entrepreneurial perspective, what it entails, and how to think like an entrepreneur.

Causes and Effects of Ozone Depletion: Truth and Lies

What are the causes and effects of ozone depletion? What’s the science? What doubts have been raised? Since the 1970s, the public controversy about the causes and effects of ozone depletion has been fueled by those who believe that certain environmental policies put their agenda at risk. These “merchants of doubt” seek to undermine the credibility of the science behind such policies. Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway discuss this in their book Merchants of Doubt. Read more to learn about the history of the debate surrounding the causes and effects of ozone depletion.

Doubt-Mongering in the Climate Change Debate

What role does doubt-mongering play in the recent climate change debate? What is the science? What doubts are raised? Merchants of doubt have been engaged in the climate change debate from the beginning. These are people or groups who seek to discredit science behind the policies that threaten their agenda. Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway, the authors of Merchants of Doubt, updated their book in 2020 to cover highlights from the past decade, specifically California law and electric cars. Read more to learn about the recent efforts of merchants of doubt in discrediting the climate change debate.

The 3 Business Stages: Infancy, Adolescence, Maturity

What business stages must entrepreneurs understand and navigate? What are the risks of each phase? In The E-Myth Revisited, Michael E. Gerber describes three business stages: infancy, adolescence, and maturity. He explains the characteristics—as well as the risks—of each. Business owners must learn to navigate these phases. Keep reading to learn about the three business stages of E. Gerber.

Environmental Effects of Acid Rain: The Tense Debate

What are the issues in the debate about the environmental effects of acid rain? What’s the science and what doubts exist? In Merchants of Doubt, historians Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway discuss how doubt-mongering has affected the debate surrounding the environmental effects of acid rain. It’s a fascinating history of science, economics, and politics. Read more to learn how merchants of doubt impacted the narrative about the environmental effects of acid rain.