A remarkable tribute, composed, scored, and performed on a grand piano. I did not know there was such a thing as a clock tune. The things we learn when we work with polymaths… — Jo
A clock tune in honor of a true man of true science
By Christopher Monckton of Brenchley
The generous businessman who sponsored the successful case against Al Gore’s sci-fi comedy horror movie An Inconvenient Truth in the London High Court in 2007 contacted me recently to say we should take steps to honor the memory of the late Bob Carter, whose testimony alongside that of Dick Lindzen was decisive in defeating Her Majesty’s Government and obliging it to circulate 77 pages of corrective guidance to every school in England before the movie could be shown there.
Hear the Peal | Download the Score
I have many good reasons to be grateful to Bob Carter. On my first speaking tour of Australia I was recovering from 20 years’ grave illness and it was not clear that I’d be fit enough to survive the month-long tour. Bob Carter shared with Ian Plimer the task of serving as my warm-up act. Both were ready to step in and take over if my health failed.
Then and often thereafter, I came to know and love Bob and his wife Anne, both of whom were the soul of gentleness, kindness and truth.
Bob was visibly saddened by the shameful and mendacious abandonment of any semblance of scientific rigor or method on the part of so many academic colleagues when it came to the profitable scam that is “global warming”.
More than any of us, he felt the totalitarians’ sullen, vicious assault on science and reason personally. He was wounded by it. Often and often he agonized over how men of science could have sunk so low.
Yet he remained generally cheerful, and was the sharpest brain and the clearest voice of sanity and reason against the Green Blob. His talks were models of clarity, incision and wit.
That great man was treated with bitchy pettiness by his university in his closing years, solely because he refused to be Assimilated by the Borg. In an act of extreme childishness, his right to use his own university’s library was summarily removed.
Click to down the full sheet music in PDF.
And the poisonous totalitarians who have all but silenced free speech worldwide on the climate issue by their vile personal attacks on any who dare to speak out against the Party Line could not let Bob Carter alone even in death. A number of disfiguringly spiteful attacks on him have been published.
The truth is that Bob Carter made Them uneasy. His assertions of the truth were so clear, so difficult for Them to challenge, that They came to fear him, and – as is usual with Their wretched kind – with fear came hatred.
I had the privilege of spending two weeks in Paris with Bob at the U.N. climate gabfest. One of the hate-speakers in the soulless le Bourget conference center, seeing me pass by, said, “All we have to do is wait. You’re all old. You’ll all die. And what you stood for will be forgotten. And we’ll have won.”
How ironic that, after that remark, Bob Carter should have been taken from us so soon after the Paris nonsense ended.
What then, is to be done to remember that great man? Well, just about the last thing I heard him say was that he liked my piano-playing in the foyer of the Hotel California, just off the Champs Elysees, where the skeptics were all staying.
In the German-speaking princedoms of Baroque Europe, by an elegant custom, composers honoured the dead by composing clock-tunes in their honor. These clock-tunes – or Turmuhrglockenspielmelodie – can be heard to this day from clock-towers all over Germany and Austria, ringing out their merriment every quarter of an hour.
I have decided to revive that charming tradition of recalling those in eternity by counting the hours that no longer imprison them. I have composed a clock-tune in Bob’s memory, and as a very small mark of gratitude for his unfailing kindnesses to me and my lovely wife.
The usual Classical rule for clock-tunes is that the quarter-hour tune should state the theme in a simple form; that the half-hour and three-quarter tunes – respectively twice and thrice the length of the quarter-tune – should elaborate upon it; and that the three tunes should be chimed in continuous succession for the hour, with perhaps a short cadenza at the end.
Concert performances generally follow this pattern, as does the recording here. The .mp3 file, professionally recorded on a 9ft Shiguro Kawai concert grand, and the score.
At the rising of the sun and at its setting, we will remember him.
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Other Tributes
These have kept coming in since I did the first tribute post.
Jennifer Marohasy, The Weekend Australian
“In this presentation, he also emphasised the importance of the scientific method. “To the extent that it is possible for any human endeavour to be so, science is value-free. Science is a way of attempting to understand the world in which we live from a rational point of view, based on observation, experiment and tested theory. Irritatingly, especially for governments, science does not operate by consensus and it is often best progressed by mavericks. The alternative to a scientific approach is one based on superstition, phobia, religion or politics.”” [A quote from December 2003]
In the preface to his first book Climate: The Counter Consensus, he encouraged us all to “trust authority less and our own brains more” as we assessed the likely dangers of both known natural and hypothetical human-caused global climate change. Chapter 11 of this book outlined the real and present dangers posed by natural climate change. We are reminded of 1816, known as “the year without a summer” for its intense cold associated with both the Dalton solar minimum and a super-eruption of the Indonesian volcano Tambora.
John Spooner, Cartoonist, The Age
Bob Carter was a great man. His greatness was located in something that we all recognized; his intelligent courage ,perceptive kindness and an exuberant love of life.
Here was a man who showed everyone how to stand up to bullying and cowardly malice with elegant dignity.
I think he understood human weakness without cynicism but he was baffled by the evasiveness of his opponents in the climate debate. How could they not see the truth, and why wouldn’t they face him openly? He felt that tribal allegiance or group think anxiety were at the heart of what passes for thought in our society .
Ingrida and I are grateful to have called Bob and Anne our friends. A conversation with Bob could range from politics to science and fine art. He always had sympathetic care for family life. In fact he seemed to have a loving embrace for us all. He will be missed dreadfully by all who knew him. Our sincere commiserations to Anne and family, from John and Ingrida Spooner.
Des Moore — Recollections
I next met Bob at a conference in early 2008, and during our conversation he said something that impressed me greatly. He told me that after the climate change debate had opened, he vowed that he would make no contribution to it unless and until he had satisfied himself that he had achieved sufficient understanding of the scientific issues involved. He then asked me: ‘How long do you think it took before I felt I was qualified to express views of my own?’ As an offhand guess which seemed reasonable, I replied: ‘Six months?’ ‘No’, said Bob, ‘it took me three years’ work.’
Bill Gray
Bob Carter – what a great professional and personal loss for so many of us AGW critics with the news of the death of Bob Carter. Bob gave so much of himself in recent years to holding the line against the false arguments and propaganda that has been so extensively advanced by global warming advocates. We should all admire Bob’s courage and his insightful climate understanding which he so skillfully brought to bear to up-hold the integrity of science. He leaves behind a most admirable legacy which will continue to inspire me and I’m sure many others to keep up our efforts to bring truth to the warming question….
Tom Harris and Terry Dunleavy
“Bob Carter was a scholar of the highest order and a committed, indefatigable defender of honest science reporting in the climate change debate. He was a true gentleman who never descended to ad hominem attacks on those who disagreed with him.”
John Roskam, IPA
“…what struck me immediately about Bob was the way he could put the most complex scientific questions into understandable terms. The other thing that hit me was his passion. He was passionate about science, about communicating about science, and about the benefits that science could bring to humanity. As is so often the case, the most passionate people are the most enthusiastic and most cheerful, and Bob was no exception. Bob’s passion, enthusiasm, and cheerfulness was infectious.”
Donna LaFramboise
The first time I heard him speak… Bob’s manner and arguments that day convinced me the media wasn’t doing a proper job. A public that has heard Al Gore’s climate views but not Bob Carter’s is a public that has been spectacularly ill-informed.
I have little patience for sentimentality and for the glib, fake praise that’s too often uttered at funerals. But Bob really was an extraordinary human being. Quietly leading by example, he blessed our lives.
Jo tried to listen to the peal, just get this message::This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.
Thanks Bob. The link had an extra “http”. Fixed now. — Jo
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It plays ok at wuwt
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Yup.
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I tried it just before the timestamp on this comment, JO, and it still didn’t work.
Something’s still out of whack.
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Same here.
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I can’t play it either.
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It is still saying that about no style information as well as ‘Access Denied’ , as if it might only be allowed for a logged in or otherwise validated user.
Tried this from different browsers on different machines through different ISPs in both UK & in Germany with the same result.
It would be a pity if the link from the main story were to remain pretty much defunct for most visitors for eternity.
The links in Comments seem to work but new visitors may never get that far.
Eg. Martin’s at #5
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PS. I am getting exactly the same. Access Denied response for any other filename that does not exist, whereas the score, with same filename but .pdf extension downloads fine.
Working OK
https://s3.amazonaws.com/jo.nova/guest/uk/monckton/bob-carters-peal.pdf
ACCESS DENIED
https://s3.amazonaws.com/jo.nova/guest/uk/monckton/bob-carters-peal.mp3
Same as:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/jo.nova/guest/uk/monckton/qwerty.pdf
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I suspect that Bob Carter would have heartily concurred with Donna LaFramboise’s comment about sentimentality, and for his friends and supporters not to be overly sentimental, but to keep up the good fight.
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true…jo’s link to the peal isn’t working.
heard it at WUWT.
beautiful.
Prof Carter –
the fight goes on.
VIDEO: 2 Feb: ClimateDepot: Marc Morano: Watch: Climatologist Dr. John Christy to Congress: NOAA data shows downward trend of extreme high temps since 1930s
http://www.climatedepot.com/2016/02/02/watch-climatoloigst-dr-john-christy-noaa-data-shows-downward-trend-of-extreme-high-temps-since-1930s/
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pat,
View the Full Committee Hearing – Paris Climate Promise: A Bad Deal for America for that day and be amazed.
Witnesses
Mr. Stephen Eule
Vice President for Climate and Technology, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Dr. John Christy
Professor of Atmospheric Science and Director of the Earth System Science Center, University of Alabama in Huntsville
Dr. Andrew Steer
President and CEO, World Resources Institute
Mr. Steven Groves
The Bernard and Barbara Lomas Senior Research Fellow, Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, The Heritage Foundation
Abe
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2 Feb: Daily Caller: Michael Bastasch: Scientist Ruthlessly Debunks One Of NOAA’s Central Climate Claims
“When a theory contradicts the facts” you need to change the theory, Christy said. “The real world is not going along with rapid warming. The models need to go back to the drawing board.”…READ ON
http://dailycaller.com/2016/02/02/scientist-ruthlessly-debunks-one-of-nasas-central-climate-claims/
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Link to download an mp3 from my dropbox:
https://db.tt/eNAu1DBK
Right-click and select “save audio as …”
(This has been ok’d by LMofB)
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A gracious tribute.
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There are many here among us who feel that life is just a joke . Attribution not necessary. I feel for people like Bob Carter and his estrangement from JCU.Just this afternoon I was discussing the sad state of our tertiary institutions with an old friend from the economics Dept. and reflecting about what happens to apostates.Have no doubt: cross the line and you’re a pariah- or worse. Take guard!
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James cook University crossed the line, not Bob Carter!
They are untouchable right now , but things must change eventually.
Lest we forget!
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I seem to remember similar tunes playing when the broadcast day ended for some shortwave radio stations.
Thanks to LMofB
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I remember Taps being played to the picture of the stars and stripes being lowered at the end of each day on one of the local stations years ago. I don’t know if Australian customs even recognize Taps — probably don’t — but I thought of it when I read what various people wrote about Dr. Carter. It has a particular beauty all its own and is very sad when played at the funeral of anyone who served.
But the words don’t begin to convey the beauty of the melody. It seems strange that I, who never met him and knew very little about him should be so moved by the words others have written about him. And I’m sorry I had no opportunity to meet Bob Carter.
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There’s a lot of video on YouTube of Taps being played but I didn’t link to any of it. I think the display of the American flag would be inappropriate.
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Beautiful bit of music. But for all that history will show he was so very wrong.
[Yes. Stick with your faith FIN. The evidence already shows he was right… Jo]
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Chris Monkton is a master of words on a par with few other men. And just reading his comments is a fine tribute to Dr.Carter. He always seems to be able to say what’s necessary and make it sound and feel absolutely right and correct. I wish I had that same skill.
I couldn’t get the audio to play but I’ll pick it up at WUWT.
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The testimony of friends at one’s death is the true measure of a man. And by that standard Bob Carter stands tall.
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Jo
O/T but they need your help over at Bishop Hill
“If you ask the same question at JoNova’s blog you will probably get some willing helpers.
Feb 3, 2016 at 2:51 PM | Unregistered Commenter michael hart ”
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2016/2/3/fun-with-flannery.html#comments
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Lord Monckton penned a timely work of art:
Bob Carter’s Peal,complete in every part.
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I did not know that Prof. Carter had passed until I saw this link. About 6 years ago, my high school aged daughter was writing an essay on the corruption of the scientific method and wrote Prof. Carter for his quotable opinions on the days climate science debauchery taking place behind Al Gore and his Inconvenient Truth movement here in the States. Bob was so gracious to share with a 16 year old so much (As did Dick Lindzen, btw) that I think it has changed her life.
As a father, I cannot thank Bob enough, though I wrote him several times. As a young Engineering student in San Diego, I am sure my daughter’s life is fuller and more grounded having conversed with Bob.
May God rest his soul.
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Have just come back from a month away to find this sad news.
Your comment, however, has made the news more bearable.
Bob took the trouble to come down to a small rally on the shores of Lake Macquarie some years ago.
Locals had been suffering under the local council “climate squad” and their rising sea levels hysteria.
Bob came and along with Stewart, now in Tasmania, added some highly credible scientific weight to the meeting.
http://joannenova.com.au/2012/08/jo-nova-in-the-australian-manne-is-anti-science-on-climate/#comment-1114463
A scientist and a gentleman.
KK
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He did the same for me. I emailed him asking about the “ocean acidification”, and he replied very promptly, thoughtfully and in considerable but clear and easily understood detail. He even attached the chapter on the subject from his book “Climate Change: The Counter Consensus”. On reading that one chapter I immediately purchased the book. I have been a confirmed climate realist ever since. The world has lost a great man.
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The Fabian Society of socialists;
The inevitability of gradualness.
“”I had the privilege of spending two weeks in Paris with Bob at the U.N. climate gabfest. One of the hate-speakers in the soulless le Bourget conference center, seeing me pass by, said, “All we have to do is wait. You’re all old. You’ll all die. And what you stood for will be forgotten. And we’ll have won.””
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am posting on jo’s previous “Iowa” thread.
big cuts in “climate” jobs at CSIRO. Green Climate Fund in “crisis” meeting, etc.
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The ABC has it here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-04/climate-science-on-chopping-block-as-csiro-braces-for-shake-up/7139224
Not clear that there will be cuts, but it sounds like climate science will be pared back in favour of other areas. To think they had 300 on the climate science teat alone…
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Hopefully, at last, the joint party room majority is influencing the new PM and his supporters and therefore Abbott Government agendas are back on the table?
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The science has been settled for years so this group has outlived their usefulness.
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O/Topic – I see Cory Bernardi is upset about the potential of Rudd being backed for UN Secretary General. He raises the point that his colleagues described him as “dysfunctional”, “vengeful”, “unstable”, and a “megalomaniac”, amongst other things:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-04/bernardi-urges-bishop-not-to-endorse-rudd-for-un-top-job/7138050
What I don’t get is why Cory would only raise Rudd’s good qualities…
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Thank you Jo, I foolishly thought that ageism was a crime, but it seems double standards are the tragic norm these days.
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OT – CSIRO Jobs to go!
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/climate-will-be-all-gone-as-csiro-swings-jobs-axe-scientists-say-20160203-gml7jy.html
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Great article by Alan Moran on this topic.
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from the ABC link Bulldust posted –
– Dr Marshall said the shake-up was about renewal for the organisation and addressing the low turnover rates of staff.
“On the good side that means people love working for CSIRO but on the bad side most companies have much higher turnover than we do,” he said.. –
now if only we could get some high turnover at “their ABC” which still has not marked the passing the Professor Carter. truly shameful.
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3 Feb: Junk Science: Wow… Dem Senators introduce resolution targeted at climate skeptics
Unbelievable.
Read the resolution. LINK
Read more at DeSmogBlog. LINK
http://junkscience.com/2016/02/wow-dem-senators-introduce-resolution-targeted-at-climate-skeptics/
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“The truth is the truth, even if spoken by a minority of one.”. Mahatma Ghandi.
Yes people will die, but others will come along …. And as long as there are those that are intellectually curious, then we will have nothing to fear.
Bob Carter. RIP.
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It is a truly elegant tribute that Chris Monckton made for his friend Bob Carter. I made this little illustration of it and put it on WUWT after I saw Chris’s tribute there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uhd8VXZuZo
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I have not been able to download the mp3 for the past two weeks.
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