How do you become a denier? Martin McKee In The New Scientist suggests that all denialist movements employ six tactics.
Allege a conspiracy i.e scientific consensus has arisen by collusion rather than accumulation of evidence.
Fake experts to support the story - this creates a facade of credibility. The experts may be genuine but consider who’s paying them.
Cherry-pick evidence - highlight anything that supports your idea and ignore or rubbish the rest. Even if your evidence is discredited continue to use it.
Make the standards of evidence required by your opponents impossibly high by claiming existing evidence is not good enough. If more evidence is produced, then move the goal-post again.
Deliberately misrepresent the scientific consensus.
Use doubt by portraying scientists as so divided that their advice cannot be relied upon.
So there you have it (although in a some what shortened version). You can now go on to be a denier or, a sceptic you can become, and at least be willing to change should evidence dictate.
It's up to you now. I found these thoughts very interesting and having read them you'll be amazed how many people that you meet in your daily life will be deniers. The more you question them, the more you realise that most people are fixed in their beliefs and ideas, or maybe just scared to admit the truth.
How about you?????????????
