No, certainly not, there absolutely hasn't been a breakdown in the integrity of the argument ...

(Above: what a shocking and misleading header. It surely should have said Banker, logician and climate scientist extraordinaire, David Murray).


Speaking of climate science, the pond almost overlooked the splendid recent contribution of David Murray.

He bobbed up on Lateline with this incisive insight, after being asked what it would take to convince him of the science:

When I see some evidence of integrity amongst the scientists themselves. I often look at systems and behaviours as a way of judging something, and in this case, to watch the accusations that fly between these people suggests there's been a breakdown in integrity in the science. 

The pond finds this logic immensely beguiling and appealing.

As an irrefutable, knockdown, lay down misere scientific argument, it's impossible to beat, and it could be applied in all sorts of useful ways.

For example, when asked what it would take to convince the pond that David Murray has the first clue about anything, the answer is clear:

When I see some evidence of integrity amongst the banking and finance sector blatherers themselves. I often look at systems and behaviours as a way of judging something, and in this case, to watch the accusations that fly between these people, and the corruption and the bubbles and the payola and the huge stipends and bonuses suggests there's been a breakdown in integrity in the banking and the finance system. 

You see, an extremely moderate response, a noble insight, and nary a mention of the way the banking and financial sectors routinely fuck over and fuck up the world! (Not to mention the pond's superannuation).

What about politicians, what would it take to convince the pond that they have the first clue?

When I see some evidence of integrity amongst the politicians themselves. I often look at systems and behaviours as a way of judging something, and in this case, to watch the accusations that fly between these people suggests there's been a breakdown in integrity in federal and state politics.

Feel free to use this argument wherever you find it useful, but remember the pond claims no credit for it, with all credit due to David Murray.

It turns out that Murray, in his usual way, upset some climate scientists with this sui generis slur on the whole damn tribe of climate scientists, as reported in Climate scientists want business leader to apologise for 'serious slur'.

Silly climate scientists. If Murray has slurred anyone, he's slurred himself.

It takes an exceptional fool, and a stupid one at that, to lead with that sort of argument, and expect to be taken seriously.

Who would take Murray seriously after that?

Cue Lateline:

The Treasurer, Joe Hockey, is understood to be in discussions with David Murray about the Government's financial services inquiry, which will be launched before the end of the year. It'll be the first time in 17 years that the $5 trillion banking, superannuation, insurance and investment sector will be examined.

Oh dear.

What a splendid inspiration to Dennis Jensen. Keep trying Dennis, you might still make science minister ...

(Below: more Kudelka here)