Layman struggles with Science

[Derek]

I understand your comment SST,
but the reply is instantly, yes, that is conduction ie, heat flows,
radiation / energy (specifically within the atmosphere) flows are different.

I think the best way to settle this "is all radiation positive" question,
is to see if a warmer object cools quicker or slower in the presence of a cooler object.
If quicker then radiation is absorbed relatively,
if it cools more slowly then radiation is all positive.