When Al-Qaeda themselves claimed responsibility, even with overwhelming evidence aside? Why were so many people still reluctant, I was researching about this stuff and was shocked to see people who I respect a lot believe in this

  • Dr_Satan@lemm.ee
    1·
    9 months ago

    No doubt. But dang, when they call themself right because they quote the most popular authority, I feel a strong impulse to play it wrong.

    I mean, I’d push flat-eartherism just to highlight the absurdity of the popular epistemology. But that’s generally a pearls-before-swine situation.

    • mods_are_assholes@lemmy.world
      2·
      9 months ago

      Funny you mention that, there is a Flat Earth society that was started as a joke with members just arguing for fun.

      They were mostly all replaced by true believers by the late 90s, I got to watch it happen.

      And it plays out the same way in so many ‘ironic stupidity’ forums.

      • Dr_Satan@lemm.ee
        1·
        9 months ago

        The true believers have more zip than the careful contemplators, unfortunately.

        • mods_are_assholes@lemmy.world
          1·
          9 months ago

          This is a flaw in human nature that needs to be resolved before we move forward as a species.

          It is no longer a survival benefit to follow loud, angry people.

          • Dr_Satan@lemm.ee
            1·
            9 months ago

            I dunno man. The ugly sciencey guy is a hard sell. There’s gotta be a third option.

            Smiling grandfather in nice suit? Sexy fascist lady? Furry?

            It’s all theater anyway. The mob does not respond to reason.

            • mods_are_assholes@lemmy.world
              1·
              9 months ago

              I think Bill Nye gives us the best template: A kind of sciency guy with a background in media production.

              The mob doesn’t respond to reason but it loves to be entertained, which is why we need more science communicators.

              We need a Bob Ross for STEM.

              • Dr_Satan@lemm.ee
                1·
                9 months ago

                Or we could just do what’s proven to work.

                One lie-spewing puppet for the people who like vanilla. Another for those who prefer chocolate. Maybe a third for those strawberry-loving weirdos.

                We want to keep them marching in the right direction. That’s all. Truth is utterly beside the point.