Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumBorowitz: Largest Climate-Change March in History Unlikely to Convince Idiots
NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report) – A climate-change march that organizers claim was the largest on record is nevertheless unlikely to change the minds of idiots, a survey of America’s idiots reveals.
Despite bringing attention to a position that is embraced by more than ninety per cent of the world’s scientists, the People’s Climate March, which took place on Sunday in New York City, left a broad majority of the nation’s idiots unconvinced.
“Look, if hundreds of thousands of people want to march about something, it’s a free country,” said Carol Foyler, an idiot from Kenosha, Wisconsin. “But let me ask them something: if the climate is really getting warmer, why was it so cold up here last winter?”
Harland Dorrinson, an idiot from Hollywood, Florida, was also unmoved by the message of Sunday’s march. “What these marchers don’t realize is that the planet goes through natural cycles of heating and cooling,” he said. “Blaming people for global warming is like blaming dinosaurs for the ice age.”
Skepticism about scientists characterized many of the idiots’ remarks, including those of Tracy Klugian, of Albuquerque, New Mexico. “Those marchers are holding signs that say ‘Scientists this, scientists that,’ ” he said. “Well, how can scientists be sure that the Earth was colder thousands of years ago, when no one had invented a thermometer?”
Klugian said he was confident that, despite the impressive numbers for Sunday’s march, idiots would prevail in the ongoing climate-change debate. “At the end of the day, there are more people like us in Congress,” he said.
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fxstc
(41 posts)A march is not a good reason to change one's opinion. we need solid proof to show.
GliderGuider
(21,088 posts)There's plenty of proof. Instead, the issue is that entrenched belief systems that are simply not accessible to "proof". In this situation, what is needed is to give the impression of a large group of people who are already convinced. That activates our evolved 'group membership" instincts, which in turn shift our beliefs closer to those of the group. It's a well-known norming effect also seen in groupthink situations. The change of their belief system permits new group members to adopt the proofs, which are now seen as confirming their beliefs rather than challenging them. In contrast, a shift in a person's belief system as the result of being presented with a new piece of factual evidence is relatively rare.
This is a psychological issue, not one of scientific proof per se. Proof is not very persuasive on its own, because persuasion is largely an emotional rather than a factual event. So from that point of view, the march was a good idea - it gives the emotional impression of a growing groundswell of opinion on the pro-AGW side. This also is why the notion of a 97%+ scientific consensus is so powerful.
there is plenty of proof. I was just responding to the op that people are idiots to not change their mind on an issue because there is a large rally. I say people would be idiots to change their mind on something so important based on the size of a rally.
uppityperson
(115,677 posts)He is saying that of course idiots who won't change their minds based on proof also won't change their minds based on a large rally. Hence the use of "idiots" in every paragraph.
Borowitz is satire, as is The Onion, in case you run across articles from there also. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell.
JustAnotherGen
(31,815 posts)Three posts and his third was admonishing a post in the African American group. 
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)More Americans could get behind it, but when they see other countries exempt from the rules and others increasing carbon then the get apprehensive. Another problem was the message. Global warming was dumb to use for years until recently especially when you had the coldest winter last year and another one this year. You won't be able to convince people. However, 10 percent is a good start with yesterday's march.
pscot
(21,024 posts)If you won't bail out your end of the boat, I'm not gonna bail my end either.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)I do think that if the President would have a televised discussion giving some background, solutions and how much it going to cost especially indivually. That could go a long way. But right now it is like a thesis that nobody fully understands. Ignorance rules climate change right now.
pscot
(21,024 posts)and the President doesn't seem to have a clue, much less a plan.
Gothmog
(145,130 posts)
merrily
(45,251 posts)make a difference. It will only deprive Americans.
While there is truth in that, emerging nations are fed up enough with what the US did to the planet as it is. Someone has to start somewhere. Saying a nation of 350 million people, give or take, can make no difference at all is not believable.
Before that, the meme was that there was climate change, but it was a cycle of nature.
Before that, the meme was that it was not happening at all.
So, we've made some progress as to what they will admit (at least the ones trying to sound halfway rational). Too bad progress has been too long in coming and nowhere near enough.
hatrack
(59,584 posts)Won't someone think of the children?!!?!?
Bigmack
(8,020 posts)"Thinking" involves using one's brain.....so that ain't gonna happen.... Ms Bigmack
GliderGuider
(21,088 posts)To our children go the benefits, to others' children go the costs - if at all possible It's in our genes.
We are simply not genetically equipped to deal with ANY of the problems we're facing right now. Sux rox, but there it is.
