Slashdot Mirror
When Beliefs and Facts Collide
schnell writes A New York Times article discusses a recent Yale study that shows that contrary to popular belief, increased scientific literacy does not correspond to increased belief in accepted scientific findings when it contradicts their religious or political views. The article notes that this is true across the political/religious spectrum and "factual and scientific evidence is often ineffective at reducing misperceptions and can even backfire on issues like weapons of mass destruction, health care reform and vaccines." So what is to be done? The article suggests that "we need to try to break the association between identity and factual beliefs on high-profile issues – for instance, by making clear that you can believe in human-induced climate change and still be a conservative Republican."
what is the scientific doctrine that Democrats typically reject?
That a fetus is a human being.
"His name was James Damore."
That's not a scientific statement, it's a political one. Science doesn't vote, it either provably is or it isn't.
Actually consensus *IS* the way that science works. Nothing in science is ever proved. Proof only exists in mathematics and the court room. Science only ever comes to a consensus on the best explanation for observed phenomenon.
Is climate change human caused? Hell if I know.
If you know more about science maybe you would. Although if the article is correct, maybe not.
that from bulldogs to dairy cows the more thoroughly bred the animal, the more fragile it becomes. That a loss of genetic diversity leads to extinction.
It's more fragile if the selection wasn't aimed towards robustness - compare and contrast with natural selection that *IS* geared towards robustness.
There's nothing fundamental about selection that will produce fragility. In fact if robustness is you r major goal, you could certainly produce more robustness faster than nature. Nature's selection being somewhat inefficient.
In my opinion, current "climate change science" quacks like the same duck -- a core of sound science deep underneath a pile of conclusions far more profound than the science actually supports.
Maybe you haven't thought that through either.