Even if rich people were no more likely to believe stupid shit than you or me, it'd still be a problem. After all, I believe my share of stupid shit (and if you think that none of the shit you believe in is stupid, then I'm afraid we've just identified at least one kind of stupid shit you believe in).
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The problem isn't whether rich people believe stupid shit; it's the fact that when a rich person believes something stupid, that belief can turn into torment for dozens, thousands, or millions of people.
Here's a historical example that I think about a *lot*. In 1928, Henry Ford got worried about the rubber supply chain.
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@madengineering @pluralistic actually it is probably not the lead plumbing as limescale buildup limits the lead concentration in the water.
The bigger problem in terms of exposure were pewter plates and pots, especially in combination with fruits or acidic drinks.
@missqarnstein @pluralistic Looking further into this, I see articles about how "sapa," better known as lead acetate, was used as a sweetener. 
Thank you for your assistance in understanding the chemistry involved, miss Qarnstein. Chemistry is my weakest science.
Cory Doctorow
Mad Engineering
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