IRRATIONALITY: Conservatives dismiss that which CAN be proved, and cling to that which CANNOT.

[Bicoastal]

OBAMA: "I've seen a birth certificate online that the state of Hawaii confirms as legitimate, but I choose to believe that a vast conspiracy involving thousands of people exists just to hide his Kenyan birth."

GLOBAL WARMING: "I've heard countless scientists that the Earth's temperature is increasing every year, but I choose to believe that Al Gore and George Soros cooked it all up to somehow make money."

SEX EDUCATION: "I've found several reports proving that promoting condom use leads to fewer pregnancies, but I choose to believe that kids will refrain from having sex if we just ask them not to."

EVOLUTION: "I've read about numerous fossils showing a gradual transformation of species, but I choose to believe that a benevolent deity in the sky created those bones just to confuse us."

PALIN: "I've witnessed numerous examples of her being irresponsible, vindictive and just plain dumb, but I choose to believe she'll be elected President because Jesus will make it happen."

In other words, why pay attention to facts when fantasy conforms to your worldview so much better?

[Hydra]

1. That's not just a conservative problem

Although they are BY FAR the worst offenders. Lazy thinking, aka: "Damn those silly facts for getting in the way of my opinion!" is something most of America is guilty of at one point or another...but that's hardly surprising. Our entire national identity is a myth, so why should we not favor more myths rather than facts?

[Bicoastal]

3. But only Conservatives are so dismissive of Science.

Liberals may indulge in conspiracy theories from time to time, and we are often guilty of backing unelectable candidates...

...but when the best scientific minds of our era reach a consensus on something, usually we allow them more credibility than the internet blogger or the pulpit evangelist.

[Hydra]

4. Science doesn't fit their world view

So it's not surprising they dismiss it. They believe a God made their world, just for them. Why would he make a place that's constantly changing and may kill them given half the chance?

Regarding "Conspiracy Theories," considering this story today:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6104319

You might want to reconsider the "irrationality" of wondering about what we aren't being told.

Remember, truth is not a buffet- you don't get to pick and choose what fits your worldview...or you'd be just like the people you were ranting about.

[Bicoastal]

5. Oh come on, I've seen theories WAY more "far out" than that on this very site...

...although to our credit, the crazier ones rarely stick around for long. I'm certainly not going to take every political conspiracy that comes my way at face value just because the "powers that be" haven't chosen to comment on it. Sometimes there's nothing TO comment on.

Face it, our side has conspiracy theories (and theorists) that are just as kooky as theirs. What are you jumping on me for?

[Hydra]

6. Because, one the one hand you wish us to condemn irrationality

but on the other, you wish us to agree with you.

Perhaps you simply hit a soft spot with me regarding what you say we do wrong, since I've studied MK Ultra, torture and some of the other "conspiracy theories."

As I said, I work with truth, and dismissing anything out of hand smacks of a certain level of "irrationality."

[Bicoastal]

7. Look, I made a short, simple statement that some conspiracy theorists are liberal...

...what's untruthful about that?

Surely you can't believe that all theories you read on DU are true while all those to be found at FreeRepublic are false.

[Odin2005]

12. There are plenty of left-wingers that dismiss science.

Look at all the New Age and "Alternative Medicine" nuts. I get sick of nimrods telling me that my Asperger's Syndrome is the result of be being "poisoned" by the MMR vaccine and that dangerous chelation therapy (which has lead to the deaths of several autistic kids) can "cure" me.

[RandomThoughts]

2. I actually like logic.

where you look at things from perspective of what people think, applied to them.

It is amazing what would happen to so many people if their own rules are applied on them.

However compassion makes me not think that should happen, but just a way for people to possibly realize(if they don't) that they are thinking in self interest thought.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[pscot]

9. It really opens up your options

if you just make shit up.

[PurityOfEssence]

10. It actually makes perfect sense: things that can be proved can be refuted; things that can't, can't

Put yourself in the mindset of the archetypal conservative, afraid of nuance or change and irritated by the act of having to decide things case-by-case. For them, the things that can't be proved or disproved, like religion, are perfect: there's no way this snuggly belief can ever be seriously challenged, so the background noise can be turned off, and anyone disturbing this bliss is easily labeled a disruptive fiend.

Things that can be scientifically or socially demonstrated demand the willingness to engage in the dread act of thinking, and all of these contentions are subject to being disproven in the future. To those who need certainty and have a worldview demanding simplicity, this is hell on earth.

Certaintists and fearful dogmatists exist on both sides of the aisle, too, and the REAL problem facing any change or real exploration is the abject terror people have of ever being shown to be mistaken.

[Hydra]

11. You've put it well

Many people are afraid of "Why?" or better, "Why not?" They love things like religion and hope, things that require "faith" to operate and are an instant win in arguments.

People hate that I won't be absolute in any of my statements. I can't be absolutely sure of anything...will the sun rise tomorrow? It has for a very long time, but I can't be sure it will. Is someone telling the truth? Probably, but perhaps they aren't.

As much as truth provides a solid foundation to stand on, it only gives you that to stand on in the past, not the future. Living without facts, however, allows you to think everything will ALWAYS be solid under your feet, and when the tremors inevitably come...