The role of 'complex' empiricism in the debates about satellite data and climate models

► New satellite datasets for temperature from 1990 seemed to contradict climate model predictions. ► Climate modelers rejected these satellite data and similar weather balloon data as legitimate. ► For 20 years, the scientists involved had very different approaches to climate data and models. ► I develop a fresh approach to evidence from the H-D approach used by the satellite data scientists. ► Using the complex vs. direct empiricist approach distinction helps us understand this episode.