Scientists alarmed as Trump embraces fringe views and extreme theories amid pandemic

[riversedge]

Good article. and it is important because I believe they are correct.




Scientists alarmed as Trump embraces fringe views and extreme theories amid pandemic


Trump has a history of defying scientific findings but his actions during coronavirus have startled even his most vocal critics

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/03/trump-coronavirus-conspiracy-theories-pandemic


Last modified on Wed 3 Jun 2020 06.01 EDT


The early months of Donald Trump’s administration saw its approach to science routinely compared to George W Bush’s – both governments were highly sympathetic to large corporations, distrustful of anything to do with the climate crisis and enthused at the idea of delegating oversight to the states.

Trump’s version may have been more abrasive and bungling but it at least seemed a familiar extension of the last Republican administration.

More recently, however, scientists have been struck by Trump’s embrace of fringe beliefs and extreme, unsupported theories. Suddenly, it is not the profit-driven lobbyists and lawyers that are the worry, it is the quacks, cranks and conspiracy theorists.

“They have exceeded my imagination with their scientific denial,” said Gretchen Goldman, a research director at Union of Concerned Scientists. “Previous administrations at least gave the appearance of wanting scientific evidence and qualified people in positions of power. This administration clearly doesn’t care, which changes the game.”

Trump himself has a long history of defying mainstream scientific findings on the existence of climate change and the efficacy of vaccines, but his actions during the coronavirus pandemic have startled even his most vocal critics.........................................................

[jaxexpat]

1. Trump is a product of extreme refinement.

All the wrong-headed, narrow minded, bigoted, short-sighted and unacceptable notions wrought by men were distilled, in a very scientific distillation, to provide this singularity. Knowledge of universal truths has illuminated people since the dawn of ages. Today we see the polar opposite, the universal lie, darkening of the universe. Answering the eternal question, "how devolved can we get?"

[LastDemocratInSC]

2. A lack of ability to accurately perceive reality.

And no desire to overcome that significant deficit.