41% Americans Believe Dinosaurs And Humans Lived Together - Now I Know We Are Stupid

[chervilant]

18. Meet Joe,

who lives in rural Arkansas. Joe is an activist, daily creating and distributing DVDs to "educate his brethren about what's coming." His 'knowledge' is a vast array of fact and fiction couched in religious terminology. He is certain that we're facing the "end times." He is certain that evil walks among us. He is certain that the uber wealthy plan to round us all up and put us in 'slave-labor camps.' He knows this because "the government is behind 9/11." Joe is the local source for a multitude of religious DVDs that are professionally produced, and provided for a pittance.

Joe wouldn't question the 'dinosaurs with humans' meme, because he -- like so many others -- is more concerned with what's happening now and in the near future. Moreover, Joe is NOT stupid, and he doesn't sound or act like a rube.

Joe -- and the vast number of humans like him -- is a much bigger concern for me. His world view is impenetrable and resolute. Challenge his precepts, and you will find yourself on the receiving end of a polite and gently uttered rant, adjuring you to attend his church and learn the knowledge vital to help you through the end times. He won't change his mind, and he won't stop. And, calling him stupid won't change anything.