A question.

[ysobelle]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/09/18/new-view-cohost-sherri_n_64864.html

So this twit doesn't believe in evolution, and apparently doesn't know if the world is flat. I won't watch the clip; I like my brain cells.

But this raises a question: why do we coddle stupid people?

I'm all for scientific debate, and questioning the world. If someone holds an opposite view from me, I'm generally okay with that-- in theory, at least-- and am willing to engage in a dialogue. But I refuse to accept or even respect (with a couple of exceptions) people who proudly proclaim their stupidity and narrow-mindedness, and expect the world to give them equal time.

Have we become so crazy-- especially in this country-- and so afraid to offend that we actually think it's okay to support this kind of idiocy? Evolution isn't some wacky idea some kid thought up in study hall. A spherical earth isn't something that "needs further research." For fuck's sake, people: if you don't believe in these things, fine, but you're WRONG. You're WRONGWRONGWRONG. And unless you have a degree in archaeology or paleontology or geology, please don't tell me you're right.

I mean, if a doctor comes and tells you you have some specific medical treatment, and here are the drugs or procedures you need, you'll believe him or her, right? You'll do what the nice doctor tells you to do because hey, they studied years for the knowledge they have. So when a scientist-- innumerable scientists!-- with an adult lifetime of experience and study comes and says, "We know these things to be true," why is it all of a sudden something you, with your degree in-- what, exactly? Liberal arts? Ethnomusicology (like me)?-- feels comfortable saying, "I don't think so. You're wrong."

It's not okay. It's just not okay.


/rant

Comments

[ibukij.livejournal.com]

didn't you know that dinosaurs didn't really exist?
They are a conspiracy placed here by scientists to
prove the theory of evolution.

no shit
I know someone who throughly believes this.
It's disturbing.

[hughcasey.livejournal.com]

I've also been told that dinosaur fossils were placed there by God and/or Satan in order to confuse people into not believing in the literal truth of the bible. Those of us who believe in "science" are horribly misguided, and it is their responsibility to save our souls... whether we want them to or not. *rollseyes*

[ibukij.livejournal.com]

oh, and global warming is also a conspiracy.

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

I'm willing to accept that some global climate change is natural. It's happened before, and it'll happen again. But Christ almighty, who gives a fuck? It's happening, it's real, and we're exacerbating the problem to a degree never before seen on earth. We CAN effect change, we HAVE effected it, and now it's time to see how far we can push the pendulum back.

I mean, conspiracy from whom? For what bloody purpose?!

[ibukij.livejournal.com]

I think she said it was a conspiracy to garner funding.
I stopped listening due to extreme stupid.

[kimboosan.livejournal.com]

I know exactly how you feel. I used to try and be tolerant but one day I just simply thought: "why?" People throw good brain cells after bad trying to prove crap like creationism or intelligent design because of their own insecurities and instabilities and I do NOT need to coddle them for it.

On that note, my husband's parents are strict Jehovah's Witnesses and are devoted creationists. They won't watch Harry Potter because it is about "magic!!!!" but their favorite film series is, yes, Jurassic Park.

Whatever. Stupid heads.

::::KBS

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

How the hell do they justify that!?

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

*gnashes teeth and wails*

I still love the Doonesbury cartoon on the subject:

[ysobelle.livejournal.com]

YES! I LOVED that one! I don't know which came first, my revelation or this strip, but they're certainly kindred thoughts.