Decision Factors for Disbelieving Actors
Judging by some comments, being a contrarian, or opposing a majority or unanimity of thought, is somewhat valiant or courageous. Judging from others, it is somewhat, or even, quite stupid.
Of course, I’m not sure of the true climate change consensus in the general population, relative to ratios, but I suspect, largely encouraged by the legacy and social mediums, the advocates and promoters do have an advantage.
In the general populace, those with a conviction towards anthropogenic climate change have it much easier than the refuter. In a disagreement, the believer usually assumes he or she has the optimum, unquestionable opinion stemming from emotional goodness while the disbeliever is immediately expected to disprove the believer’s belief.
It is always fun when one has proof and can witness the rolling of eyes and the gnashing of teeth. It is not that anyone or any testimony can change the mind of a fervent believer, but it’s always amusing to see how far emotions can influence a prejudicial mind. Many will simply become angry and pursue the ad hominem argument.
Most in the psychological disciplines believe that decisions are based on emotions rather than facts, reason, and logic - some emotional considerations and factors as high as 80%.
In this alone, climate change believers have a clear edge. They are fed an unremitting diet from those that claim they are saving civilization and further, have that nutritional therapy fostered and endorsed by many news organizations and big tech oligarchs.
Most believers will never selectively read or watch material contrary to the matrix of their personal belief system – it’s called “confirmation bias”.
Some with preconceived beliefs, such as the person commenting on one of my past articles below, read and interpreted the story in the exact opposite direction of my intent. When I asked her to read it again, she did and then got angry and resorted to the familiar ad hominem attack.
That would have made her “emotionally” correct - at least in her mind. Actually, based on typical confirmation bias, I was surprised she read it in the first place.