Re: Brin: Arguing Doesn't Work: Fact Vs Belief

On Nov 15, 2010, at 8:55 AM, Matthew Bos wrote:

>>> New research suggests that misinformed people rarely change
>>> their minds when presented with the facts ? and often become
>>> even more attached to their beliefs. The finding raises
>>> questions about a key principle of a strong democracy: that a
>>> well-informed electorate is best.
>>
>> This is why it is futile to argue with religionists.
>
> WTG wrote:
>
> That is obvious.  Anyone who professes a belief in something
> unprovable (or provably false) is a denialist.

Says the list's most tiresome dysangelist. Depends on what they deny,
doesn't it? There are religious believers who manage — to their
satisfaction, though not to yours (and why should they care?) — to
maintain their belief alongside acceptance of science and whatever else
it is that you imagine that they deny. Using the word "denialist" just
to call them names strips it of real meaning. Might as well call them
"terrorists" or "communists" or whatever other magic "bad name" is in
vogue at the moment.

Dave