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The psychology of climate change denial

ataraxia said:
I have been very puzzled at the rhetoric and arguments of climate deniers. It has seemed really odd how readily, for example, they deny the strong and unanimous consensus of every single scientific organization on the entire planet, but jump all over a Manhattan real estate guy’s Declaration that it’s all just a Chinese hoax. No amount of evidence seems to be enough. They either deny it, or twist it, or just grasp at any crazy website or charlatan they can find who may have an opposing opinion. It just seems so disconnected from reality and reason.

It did not make sense, until I saw this article about why otherwise rational people can become climate change deniers, young earth creationists, believe in ESP and UFO abduction stories, deny modern medicine and think they can treat their rececently diagnosed cancer with all-natural herbal teas and yoga, become an anti-vaxxer, etc...

It’s a psychological optical illusion: when scientific facts are so unfamiliar, so uncomfortable, so against one’s view of what the world is like or should be, that it becomes preposterous to accept it. So they start to see their skepticism as being smart. The science, so readily accepted in other areas, becomes a conspiracy to destroy capitalism or give their kids autism or something. It’s not A matter of presenting even more evidence, or being more logical or rational. This is not about facts or logic.

Great article on the psychology of such science-denial:

Why So Many Americans Don't 'Believe' In Evolution, Climate Change And Vaccines | HuffPost Life

I think the way to try to convince these folks is not to keep presenting more evidence for climate change. It’s not about the evidence. Clearly no amount of evidence is going to change their mind. The thing that bothers them is probably that if true, it is going to involve government intervention and spending. Or that they might lose their jobs. If they are convinced that’s what it’s going to necessarily involve, they are going to keep denying it. Maybe if they are reassured that the free-market may be able to address these issues, or that new and more jobs will be created, they will not deny the issues themselves so much anymore. Of course, then there is the fear of change that we will have to contend with.

But at least this may be a blueprint for how to debate these folks. Because it is clear than trying to convince them just based on evidence and rationality is a losing proposition. You will just go against a brick wall and come back with a concussion. Because it’s not about that.
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Yep its all the same retardation

Climate deniers = anti-vaxxers = truthers that say bush planned it = birthers = holocaust deniers = flat earthers = war on christmas guild = all complete retards that nobody honest educated and objective takes seriously.

They are all just mocked for their stupidity dishonesty and tin foil hat worthy nutball conspiracy theories its awesome! LMAO
 
Jack Hays said:
Greenland ice loss through the 20th century and into the 21st is insignificant. It's a phony problem.
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Greenland ice is rapidly melting and the rate is sharply increasing and this is a concern to many scientists
 
Jack Hays said:
Greenland ice loss through the 20th century and into the 21st is insignificant. It's a phony problem.
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Their ignorance is amusing since when Greenland lost around 1/3 of its mass during the warmer Eemian interglacial, the world went on without disaster, Polar Bears and Humans still around today.
 
Sunsettommy said:
Their ignorance is amusing since when Greenland lost around 1/3 of its mass during the warmer Eemian interglacial, the world went on without disaster, Polar Bears and Humans still around today.
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When was that? Lol
 
vegas giants said:
I did. Just like you.
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You made the claim that it is made up drivel, but don't provide evidence that it is so.

By the way.....,

Does this mean you can't post a counterpoint after all?

Then you have no basis for your empty claim.

Snicker.....
 
Sunsettommy said:
You made the claim that it is made up drivel, but don't provide evidence that it is so.

By the way.....,

Does this mean you can't post a counterpoint after all?

Then you have no basis for your empty claim.

Snicker.....
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Read it again. He made the claim the numbers are made up drivel.
 
vegas giants said:
Read it again. He made the claim the numbers are made up drivel.
Click to expand...

You made the claim that it is made up drivel, but don't provide evidence that it is so.

By the way.....,

Does this mean you can't post a counterpoint after all?

Then you have no basis for your empty claim.

Snicker.....
 
vegas giants said:
Read it again. He made the claim the numbers are made up drivel.
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Do you think that the present rate of ice loss from Greenland is 245Gt/yr in line with the latest hyped alarm number? Do you agre with the 245Gt/yr?

Do you remember that in the past the loss rate from Greenland has been quoted as 400Gt/yr?

Do you agree or disagree that 245 is less than 400?

Easy questions surely............
 
Tim the plumber said:
Do you think that the present rate of ice loss from Greenland is 245Gt/yr in line with the latest hyped alarm number? Do you agre with the 245Gt/yr?

Do you remember that in the past the loss rate from Greenland has been quoted as 400Gt/yr?

Do you agree or disagree that 245 is less than 400?

Easy questions surely............
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Show evidence of your numbers along with dates
 
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