Wednesday
Jun292011
by 
Bishop Hill
Bishop Hill Keenan in El Reg
Jun 29, 2011 FOI Doug Keenan is interviewed in The Register about the recent decision of the Information Commissioner. I liked Orlowski's comment:
Reader comments on the story have produced some fascinating responses: lifelong anti-copyright zealots can be found explaining the benefits of copyright, and veteran "open data" crusaders advocating data be kept under wraps. Climate debates can do strange things, with cherished principles being jettisoned - the means apparently justifying the ends.
Reader Comments (12)
No doubt Paul Nurse relied upon others to conclude that CRU were correct scientifically, legally and morally to withhold data.
Does he still have full confidence in the science of AGW if he is relying on the same advisors?
"It's not the finest hour for the Royal Society"
One wonders how Nurse will address the ICO's decision. Surely if the decision criticizes the CRU and UEA then Nurse and Royal Society leaders, by their defence of AGW and the ones responsible for the emails, must surely look inwards and ask some searching questions.
No sarc off here!
I just wonder if Cillit Bang Power Cleaner works with Spitballs! (Thanks S.M. for an excuse to use that one!)
Orlowski's wry humour is delicious - Nurse has made a spectacle of himself over his unqualified support of the CRU staff and his being gently mocked is fully earned. Nurse's take on the decision will be fascinating!
I suspect Nurse will simply point out that even the inquiries that found almost nothing did comment on lack of openness, so this is really nothing new.
Many thanks Alex, that's very kind.
Why aren't Nurse's comments a popular scandal? From a public relations point of view it would have been an easy win.
@Pete H
Obviously not as well as "New Improved ICOKleen" ;) Course, there's got to be room in there somewhere for "Toilet Duck" surely?
@ Andrew Orlowski
Because, until now, voices like yours have been crying in the wilderness. Things are slowly changing though and more people will sit up and notice. The more you (and others like you) keep on pointing out the comments and behaviour of people like Nurse, the more likely they are to become popular scandals.
Very good article by the way and good to see you here.
An excellent reminder of Pearce's Guardian article. I always enjoy Orlowski's pieces. Orlow is Polish for eagle, I understand. Apt name.
"If UEA is truly interested in advancing scientific understanding, why do they not want to make their data available to others?"
I think Dr Phil already answered that: "Why should I make the data available to you, when your aim is to try and find something wrong with it?"
I suppose the conclusion should be that the UEA/CRU isn't really interested in advancing anything other than its own agenda, which it tries to make credible by calling it 'science'.
Paul Nurse has moved to the big boy league now & fully bought in/committed to 'this side' on the climate debate. he will never have a rethink. he trusts the 'experts' in this field (sadly).
wholesale Louis Vuitton Stamped Handbags Collection
I suppose the conclusion should be that the UEA/CRU isn't really interested in advancing anything other than its own agenda, which it tries to make credible by calling it 'science'.
-decorative key holdersThis is a very interesting post to read,
thanks for sharing.