tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post1205204377774391305..comments2024-02-11T08:44:50.489+00:00Comments on Peter A Bell: Contradictions?Peter A Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14204261467942498747noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-21678767628305305372013-03-27T11:26:41.085+00:002013-03-27T11:26:41.085+00:00I am wary of the mantra of "solid facts"...I am wary of the mantra of "solid facts". The reality is that because we are talking about the future much, perhaps most, of the debate will revolve around forecasts, projections and estimates. The real debate is arguably less about facts than it is about analysis and interpretation.<br /><br />The no campaign bangs on endlessly about "certainty" precisely because they recognise that it is impossible to be certain of anything. It is not just commodities like oil that are "volatile". The future is too.<br /><br />Which is not to say that we should ignore factual evidence altogether. Only that we should recognise the debate is not like a card game where there are precise and undisputed face values. We have to argue the worth and ranking and even the meaning of every piece of information.<br /><br />Ultimately, it comes down to a matter of who has the best arguments. Not who has the most facts.<br /><br />Good to be back on the blog again. Even if it means fewer comments on the newspaper websites.Peter A Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204261467942498747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-37262137926246048762013-03-27T10:53:47.805+00:002013-03-27T10:53:47.805+00:00We seem to be on a magic-roundabout of 'he sai...We seem to be on a magic-roundabout of 'he said, she said', when what's needed are solid facts; even if it's pessimistic warts-an-all, it's better than this spin and candy floss. <br /><br />Will the coming White Paper get things moving, or do I expect too much? Will it be sensible campaigning, or will the risible Bain Principle rubbish anything that even borders on the sensible? <br /><br />Good to see you back to blogging Peter.Barontorchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09013396482625243468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-75737985191625618902013-03-27T07:40:41.823+00:002013-03-27T07:40:41.823+00:00great read Peter this material deserves a wider au...great read Peter this material deserves a wider audience. thank younorrie hunternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-73841660306676190932013-03-26T19:12:51.670+00:002013-03-26T19:12:51.670+00:00Excellent stuff Peter. And we need more rebuttal o...Excellent stuff Peter. And we need more rebuttal of this sort! We need to get it through people's letter boxes !Fourfolksachehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12651190231842907126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-72649576871742274182013-03-26T14:35:00.162+00:002013-03-26T14:35:00.162+00:00Thanks, Hazel. Just getting myself back into some ...Thanks, Hazel. Just getting myself back into some kind of blogging routine after a long lay-off. It's all starting to come back to me.Peter A Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204261467942498747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323167987164959411.post-85333989669497521562013-03-26T14:24:27.873+00:002013-03-26T14:24:27.873+00:00"little gang of grim-grinders" .... how ..."little gang of grim-grinders" .... how appropriate. <br />Nice piece, thank you.Weegiewarblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03565353275583070868noreply@blogger.com