Re:In defense of flat earthers (2020)
by denton-scratch on Tuesday January 18, 2022 @06:35AM
(#29977708)
> Flat earthers are proof that some people will just obstinately believe in complete and utter horseshit
"Flat earth" seems to be an example of an entire class of "big lie" beliefs. The "big lie" idea is that if you tell a big enough lie, with enough elaborate entailments, people will give up on critical appraisal because it becomes such hard work. Apparently a large proportion of QAnon believers are educated high-achievers. These beliefs are not caused by a failure of education.
* Our lizard overlords
* Alien kidnappers
* Area 51
* Illuminati
* Xenu (or almost any organised religion)
> actively and self-assuredly wrong
That is how I like to use the word "ignorant" - these are belief-systems that require active effort to sustain. To go along with them, you have to deliberately close your eyes.
"Flat earth" seems to be an example of an entire class of "big lie" beliefs. The "big lie" idea is that if you tell a big enough lie, with enough elaborate entailments, people will give up on critical appraisal because it becomes such hard work. Apparently a large proportion of QAnon believers are educated high-achievers. These beliefs are not caused by a failure of education.
* Our lizard overlords
* Alien kidnappers
* Area 51
* Illuminati
* Xenu (or almost any organised religion)
> actively and self-assuredly wrong
That is how I like to use the word "ignorant" - these are belief-systems that require active effort to sustain. To go along with them, you have to deliberately close your eyes.