Even those that might or could choose not to. Nothing blinds perception like being emotionally invested in or bound to something. That’s one of the reasons people stay in abusive relationships, why people kidnapped become sympathetic to those who abducted them, and why cult members need to be deprogrammed.
There is nothing that can change the beliefs of a hard-core Denier. If the Gulf Stream went away, the Arctic became ice-free, and Philadelphia became a costal city, there would still be Deniers. That is the reason they never ask honest questions. It is the reason that someone like kano can claim that he studies “both sides” even though it is obvious to everyone that he only feasts at the Denier buffet, and that Sagebrush – who may be the single most scientifically illiterate adult in the developed world – can claim not only to understand science, but to be a “real” scientist (actually, this might qualify as a mental illness, making Sagebrush an outlier even among hard-core Deniers).
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I have accused Sagebush of being the world's most dedicated and unflinching Troll - but I've decided that would make him even more twisted.
Oh, there may be some, but you can tell that their "science" is all mixed up with their politics. One of the few that actually has some training in science (the geologist), suggests that a good climate debate would be between a climate scientist and Senator Ted Cruz. Ted Cruz has won awards for his debating skills, but as far as I know he hasn't won any awards for science, or even studied science to any degree. Frankly, I don't look to politicians for information about science, but it's clear that deniers do.
I don't believe that people like Sagebrush believe a word of what they say. They know the difference. But from their lies, they sound like they don't.
Or, for that matter, between cutting and pasting from Wattups or similar anti-science crok of the week blogs versus actually asking a bonafide question?
Okay, I'll leave this and go ask one.
