Understanding the question is as important as giving the correct answer

Beneath the Wisteria supporter Dave Glover frequently turns our attention to the exponential growth of the world’s population, our voracious use of the world’s finite supplies of oil and lately his focus has been on the shrinking artic ice shelf.



The melting artic ice shelf.

Dave, for all his seriousness does like a joke, particularly when that joke has a punch line that is relevant to anyone considering their response to climate change.

We really need to understand the questions before were proffer an answer.

This joke sent in by Dave about the drunk and the  priest illustrates through metaphor why we should clearly understand the question before leaping in with an answer.

What causes arthritis?

A drunk man who smelled like beer sat down on a subway next to a priest. The man's tie was stained, his face was plastered with red lipstick,

And a half-empty bottle of gin was sticking out of his torn coat pocket.   

He opened his newspaper and began reading.

After a few minutes the man turned to the priest and asked, "Say Father, what causes arthritis?"  The priest replies, "My Son, it's caused by loose living and being with cheap, wicked women.

Too much alcohol, contempt for your fellow man, sleeping around with prostitutes and lack of hygiene and a bath."

The drunk muttered in response, "Well, I'll be darned, then returned to his paper.

The priest, thinking about what he had said, nudged the man and apologised. "I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had arthritis?"

The drunk man answered.  "I don't have it, Father, I was just reading here that the Pope does."

MORAL:   Make sure you understand the question before offering the answer.