One of the things that I have continually observed in discussions with people who deny man-made climate change, or who cling to conspiracy theories because they "read all different sources and make up their minds for themselves" is that they are only educated just enough to understand The Basics.
Examples of The Basics includes (but is not limited to) the process of photosynthesis, geological epochs of Earth's climate, and the role of the sun and moon impacting Earth's forces such as tides or human mood.
It is inevitable that I encounter NEARLY EVERY DAY - mostly online but sometimes in real life - someone who argues against man-made climate change "because plants love CO2 and it causes greening in urban areas" or who says "the climate has changed many times and the sun plays a role in this" ...and if you begin to explain to them "well you're partially right because..." they automatically freak out and shut down in some way, because it's like their brain cannot or will not accept concepts like surplus of CO2 trapped in the atmosphere by water vapor, or geological evidence that the sun is currently playing such a minor role in global warming that 1) it would never happen this quickly in a few decades from things like "wobble" or "flares" and 2) we're supposed to actually be in a period of global cooling based on sun patterns, dipshits.
It's extraordinary to speak with one of these people because they can be of average intelligence, and even be particularly skilled in some area where they are highly competent...but their knowledge of science began in 2nd grade and apparently ended before they even entered high school.
I see it mirrored in absurd arguments against veganism too. You know, the "but insects and rodents are incidentally killed by agriculture" and "Lions tho" arguments are an oversimplification of what they may have learned in a middle school science class.
WHY? WHY WHY WHY WHY.
I am not sure if this is a discussion or just a rant but I can't even.
Examples of The Basics includes (but is not limited to) the process of photosynthesis, geological epochs of Earth's climate, and the role of the sun and moon impacting Earth's forces such as tides or human mood.
It is inevitable that I encounter NEARLY EVERY DAY - mostly online but sometimes in real life - someone who argues against man-made climate change "because plants love CO2 and it causes greening in urban areas" or who says "the climate has changed many times and the sun plays a role in this" ...and if you begin to explain to them "well you're partially right because..." they automatically freak out and shut down in some way, because it's like their brain cannot or will not accept concepts like surplus of CO2 trapped in the atmosphere by water vapor, or geological evidence that the sun is currently playing such a minor role in global warming that 1) it would never happen this quickly in a few decades from things like "wobble" or "flares" and 2) we're supposed to actually be in a period of global cooling based on sun patterns, dipshits.
It's extraordinary to speak with one of these people because they can be of average intelligence, and even be particularly skilled in some area where they are highly competent...but their knowledge of science began in 2nd grade and apparently ended before they even entered high school.
I see it mirrored in absurd arguments against veganism too. You know, the "but insects and rodents are incidentally killed by agriculture" and "Lions tho" arguments are an oversimplification of what they may have learned in a middle school science class.
WHY? WHY WHY WHY WHY.
I am not sure if this is a discussion or just a rant but I can't even.