---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The trouble is that the hockey stick…"
description: "\"The trouble is that the hockey stick graph become an icon and deniers reckoned if they could smash the icon, the whole concept of global warming would ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d9/michael-e-mann-42026_climate_the-trouble-is-that-the-hockey-stick-gra_387821.png"
---

#  The trouble is that the hockey stick graph become an icon…

![“The trouble is that the hockey stick graph become an icon and deniers reckoned if they could smash the icon, the whole concept of global warming would be destroyed with it.” quote by Michael E. Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d9/michael-e-mann-42026_climate_the-trouble-is-that-the-hockey-stick-gra_387821.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d9/michael-e-mann-42026_climate_the-trouble-is-that-the-hockey-stick-gra_387821.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d9/michael-e-mann-42026_climate_the-trouble-is-that-the-hockey-stick-gra_387821.png)

> “The trouble is that the hockey stick graph become an icon and deniers reckoned if they could smash the icon, the whole concept of global warming would be destroyed with it.”

[Michael E. Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-e-mann/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Iconic graphs become symbols; attacking the symbol is seen as attacking the science behind it.

**In simple terms:** Symbols can be targeted to undermine ideas.

Key Takeaway

Focus on data, not just symbols.

Themes

science communication misinformation

Mood

concerned analytical

Type

educational advocacy

When to use this quote

- policy debates
- media coverage
- education campaigns

Key Concepts

visual rhetoric public perception

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we strengthen scientific literacy?
- What alternatives to iconic images can convey urgency?

A Different Perspective

People may dismiss the underlying evidence if they focus only on the image.

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