[xixi77]

Conflict of interest does not at all imply bullshit of this nature -- it may imply a biased presentation, but a biased presentation is not the same as deliberately repeating arguments one knows are bad. Also, more often than not the source of the conflict of interest is simply the desire to protect one's reputation -- there are not many authors who do not suffer from that :)

Best way to deal with biased bullshit is open discussion where the biased parties make their arguments, and others evaluate them on quality and completeness. Competition on who is better at hiding biases and conflicts of interest, as opposed to who has the strongest argument, is not the best way at getting at the truth.

Now, knowingly and repeatedly making the same questionable arguments without even mentioning criticism, is quite another matter and should indeed count against one's reputation. Too bad we so often see all sides guilty of that one :(