"If GM foods are safe, as the industry claims, then why the stubborn opposition to labeling?"

[Igel]

13. Look at other issues.

The overwhelming majority of Muslims are peaceful.

But if we want merchandise to be labeled "Made by devout Muslims" that would ding sales. It would be Islamophobic. It would be biased. And it would play into irrational, stupid fears.

But wouldn't the public have a right to know? Even if their actions would be based on ignorance? We already see calls for closer monitoring, vetting, etc., etc., of Muslim groups and immigrants and many DUers have no problem calling a large chunk of our population ignorant, racist, stupid, "low information" for this. Our disdain for them is unbounded.

But when the populace agrees with us, they're paragons of virtue and wisdom, and how dare such an educated and enlightened population be contemned.

The only difference in many such cases is whether they agree with us or disagree with us. Nonetheless, they make their decisions in the context of biased, partial, distorted information. It's pretty much the same population.

You see it play out with anti-vaxxers and their opponents as well. If you're anti-vax, then those who disagree with you are mostly educated, middle class, enlightened. If you're anti-anti-vax, then those who disagree with you are mostly dullard mouth-breathers with smeg for brains. It plays out with home schooling. It plays out on all kinds of issues. It's to fight this kind of confirmation bias and what-you-see-is-all-their-is blinders that we try to teach critical thinking. For most people, CT is a weapon to be used against opponents for victory, not to get to the truth. Hell, we already know the truth and we know that we know it.