I have this, apparently, quaint and naive idea that facts and evidence changes people’s minds, but a recent conversation with a friend at one of the many science fiction conventions I’ve attended in the past few weeks has badly shaken this faith in human intelligence.
Here’s the background. Republican rancher faced with a devastating and unnatural drought. Does he go, “Hmm, maybe 97% to 98% percent of the world’s scientist might be right about this global climate thing?”
No, his conclusion — the terrorists are behind it. They have found a way to mess with the weather to weaken and bring down the United States.
First off, if the terrorists actually had a James Bond Villain Weather Machine I think they would probably use it so it would rain in the Middle East. Or they would make a boat load of money improving the climate in Siberia, or having rain arrive at just the right moment in various grain belts around the world. But no, in his Fox informed world they would use this awesome technology to screw with the U.S.
My take away from all this. Apparently Occam’s Razor is bull crap when you’re in this right wing mind set. Conspiracies are much more fun than those hard knobby facts. And people are incapable of changing their minds.
