Author: Colin Turfus

Colin Turfus is a quantitative risk manager with 16 years experience in investment banking. He has a PhD in applied mathematics from Cambridge University and has published research in fluid dynamics, astronomy and quantitative finance.

Precepts for Observing Lockdown

Thus Spake Zarathustra https://www.deviantart.com/jacktrick/

It was now the 100th day of the ordinance of lockdown and Zarathustra, that renowned prophet of postmodernism, was engaged, as was his wont, in deep consideration of the resolution of a troublesome dilemma: whether the demands of the day merited rising from his bed and changing out of his pyjamas. Unable to summon the… Continue reading Precepts for Observing Lockdown

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A Woke Critique of Spotify?

One day the great moral counsellor Zarathustra was out for a drive in his Maserati with his friend Ziggy. It may come as a surprise to the reader familiar with his exploits that he had such things (friends I mean, not sports cars). But being a person of great integrity, it was quite possible for… Continue reading A Woke Critique of Spotify?

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Ms Bouquet Meets Her Year 9 Class

https://education.abc.net.au/splash-image-servlet/mvcservlet/imageServlet/profile1/teacher-2203092

The scene is a classroom in a high school in Lewisham. The year 9 students are awaiting the arrival of Ms Bouquet, who will be taking the Citizenship class. Although she is new to the school, she has many years teaching experience and is confident in holding her own in a new class. Ms Bouquet… Continue reading Ms Bouquet Meets Her Year 9 Class

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An Extended Lexicon for the Moral Maze

In my previously published Lexicon for the Moral Maze, I set out a number of phrases commonly employed in what passes for contemporary moral debate and offered some assistance on how anyone starting to find themselves bewildered can unpack the jargon and glean an understanding of the protagonists’ real agenda. The debate has moved on… Continue reading An Extended Lexicon for the Moral Maze

Observance of the Rite of Lockdown

Thus Spake Zarathustra https://www.deviantart.com/jacktrick/

It was the 20th day of the ordinance of lockdown when Zarathustra, that renowned prophet of postmodernism, reflected that during that time his flock in the neighbouring villages might be missing his counsel. It was not that he didn’t consider his engagement with the community to be “essential” travel meriting the few hours drive in… Continue reading Observance of the Rite of Lockdown

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In Politics, Who Gets to Define Progress?

Thus Spake Zarathustra https://www.deviantart.com/jacktrick/

It had been some months since the prophet Zarathustra had last visited the village. When he arrived in the central square he was surprised to find it deserted. Hailing a small boy who was passing by, he asked where the occupants were. “Don’t you know it is election time?” was the reply. The prophet was… Continue reading In Politics, Who Gets to Define Progress?

Is Progressive Liberalism a New Religion?

Almost forty years ago I read Nikolai Berdyaev’s The Russian Revolution [1], in which he makes the case that Soviet Communism was essentially a religion in the mould of Christianity, with its concept of original sin (expropriation of labour), priestly class (the Communist Party), The Final Judgement (The Revolution), purification through penance (communal labour), holy… Continue reading Is Progressive Liberalism a New Religion?