Ignorfamous

When did ignorance become fashionable? Was Reagan a trendsetter when he stated that "Facts are stupid things"?

Words like elitists and intellectuals have now become pejorative? I've met a lot of "Soccer moms" and "Joe Six-Packs" in my life, growing up in the rural south. Most of them are good hard-working people. But most of them are not brilliant. By definition, most people are average. I don't want average Americans to be in any important position, and especially not tasked with running the nation. I want the best and brightest.

Part of the problem is arrogance. I am always astounded at the number of people who believe they know as much as any expert on any topic. News Flash: YOU DON'T. You can argue evolution with a biologist. If you're not a biologist, you probably don't know enough to even understand why you're wrong. It probably wouldn't be a good idea to let an ivy league economist rebuild the transmission in your car. But likewise, it's not a good idea to let your mechanic decide fiscal policy for the nation.

Similarly, most meteorlogical and climate scientists have the personality of a piece of cardboard. They would be terrible as radio or tv personalities. Likewise radio and tv personalities make terrible scientists. Most of them couldn't find their ass with a mirror and a map. But yet we constantly hear media personalities comment on how scientists are wrong.



The survey question which resulted in the chart above was:

1. When compared with pre-1800s levels, do you think that mean global temperatures have generally risen, fallen, or remained relatively constant?
2. Do you think human activity is a significant contributing factor in changing mean global temperatures?

Look at how those most knowledgeable are more likely to arrive at the same conclusion: Yes. And while ignorance increases, so does division and uncertainty. This is the effect of those with the least knowledge being more adept at presenting their message- and the public should do a better job of 1) doing their own research, and 2) listening to the experts rather than the pundits.

If we treat the best and brightest among us as undesirables, somehow deserving of scorn, then we are destined to lose our place in the world, succumbing to the weight of our own arrogant ignorance.