What to make of this recent Report (here):

An Australian university recently censured marine scientist Paul Ridd for “failing to act in a collegial way and in the academic spirit of the institution,” because he questioned popular claims among environmentalists about coral reefs and global warming.

To understand what is going on, some background in organizational sociology is helpful.

In past decades, researchers looking into organizational behavior concluded that the internal discipline inside the organization had to be stronger than the threats or enticements outside. Thus, an army has high regimentation and command drilling in order that soldiers follow orders and perform in the face of armed enemies trying to kill them. Police units operate in hostile environments and rely on similar training and disciplines.

Slightly different examples include missionaries seeking to convert heathens, without themselves losing their beliefs, religous practices or ethics when surrounded by people of another culture.

When it comes to corporations, most of them have sales departments who have a special camaraderie and rituals that keep them pitching skeptical customers in the face of rejection and losing trades to competitors.

All this is context for recognizing that many scientists in the present research funding market operate as salesmen in order to protect and enhance their revenue streams. If they are prone to exaggerated claims, that goes with the role and territory. And if they are called to account for not having the back of fellow salesmen, that is also to be expected.

The behavior of climate scientists at James Cook University is a case of sales managers attacking the credentials of someone undermining their claims and threatening to dispel the fears upon which government funding is based.

Sadly, this is further evidence of the degradation of climate science, which has been thoroughly vetted by Richard Lindzen:  Climate Science Was Broken