The "Scientific Impotence" Excuse 892
chichilalescu writes "I've had the feeling for a long time that people refuse to listen to scientists. The following is from an article on Ars Technica: 'It's hardly a secret that large segments of the population choose not to accept scientific data because it conflicts with their predefined beliefs: economic, political, religious, or otherwise. But many studies have indicated that these same people aren't happy with viewing themselves as anti-science, which can create a state of cognitive dissonance. That has left psychologists pondering the methods that these people use to rationalize the conflict. A study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology [abstract here] takes a look at one of these methods, which the authors term "scientific impotence" — the decision that science can't actually address the issue at hand properly.' The study found that 'regardless of whether the information presented confirmed or contradicted [the subjects'] existing beliefs, all of them came away from the reading with their beliefs strengthened."
The most interesting part is (Score:5, Funny)
Hogwash (Score:2, Funny)
Science is a Religion (Score:1, Funny)
The idea that science can answer questions about reality is itself a religion. For example, you cannot see atoms and you cannot see the big bang, evolution or even global warming and yet billions of people mindlessly believe these ythings without question simply on the authority of the left wing "science" touting powerful and wealthy elite.
It's time to stop worrying (Score:4, Funny)
Oh yeah, well????!!! (Score:3, Funny)
Scientia potestas est, and sometimes it is willing to share...
This just in... (Score:4, Funny)
This just in... stupid people aren't happy when they realize they're stupid. Full story at 11.
Just one thing... (Score:1, Funny)
That is that quite simple, all sides of the climate change camp (as that is what this thread is about, even if the summary avoided mentioning it directly) are equally as guilty of blind faith.
The Business side will refuse any concept which jeopardises their profit margins
The Religious side will refuse any concept which does not match their religious texts
The Politic side will refuse any concept which is unlikely to get them elected
The Environmentalist side will refuse any concept which doesn't show that climate change is indisputably real and mankind is to blame
And
The Scientist side will refuse any concept which question their science, which is confusing as science has to be questioned for it to be science, else it is merely ideology or at worst, religion.
As for myself. I'm a geek, and think you can all kiss my ass. I hope you all die from your bickering before the planet cooks you alive.
Your bs arguing is interfering with my late night gaming sessions, now shut up so I can go play warcraft.
Re:Define people (Score:3, Funny)
But with the Internet, everyone is an expert~
Re:Religion (Score:2, Funny)
Science is Sometimes Wrong (Score:1, Funny)
We have now figured out everything. Unlike 100 years ago, when some things science thought were true but turned out not to be.
In fact the further you go back, the more wrong scientists have turned out to be. The world's not flat. The universe is expanding.
Future generations will look back on us as the generation that finally figured everything out so they wouldn't have to.
applied psychology (Score:1, Funny)
I don't understand that field, and it's all hogwash anyway. Don't RTFA, it's just political propaganda!!