Jason Gorman

Here's the thing: people outside of the sciences aren't persuaded by data, or by logic.

You could prove it mathematically, do a bunch of experiments, and show them a bunch of peer-reviewed studies, and they'll still say "Ah, but..."

Most people will believe what they choose to believe. It's a waste of time trying to change their minds.

Very few are genuinely interested in what's real or what works.

Dec 31 at 11:37amWeb
Show threadbarsoomcoreDec 31
@jasongorman do you think it’s science education in particular? I wonder about philosophy education — or even literature, at least in the form it’s usually taught in Anglo universities where the job is to use a text to defend a position. Those seem also likely to produce a capacity for assessing arguments.
Show threadNickDec 31
@jasongorman I suspect that people are responding rationally to what their environment rewards.
Show threadDanil SuitsDec 31

@jasongorman

A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.