So stupid a cave man would believe it
arthurdent
Posts: 969
Why Do We Continue to Believe Bizarre Things?
By Michael Fumento
AOL News, May 13, 2010
Copyright 2010 Independent Journalism Project
A few years ago, a federal judge permanently barred a South Carolina company from selling plastic devices with antennas attached to them, which the company had been hawking for up to $8,000.
There were, it turns out, too many of us willing to believe that this modern-day divining rod could detect everything from drugs to golf balls. (What? No wallets or car keys?)
Therein lies the puzzle. Why in an age saturated with information, do we believe such bizarre things? Things like crop circles, alien abductions, and 9/11 conspiracy theories? Why do we believe wild Toyota stories like the 94 mph "runaway Prius"? The gearbox allowed shifting into neutral by merely reaching out a finger, but the driver told credulous reporters he was afraid to do so because he needed to keep both hands on the steering wheel. And regarding that cell phone in his hand?
Why a steady stream of mass hysterias, like swine flu?
We believe bizarre things for many reasons, but at the core is that despite our computers and communications devices and other gadgets, and despite all the scientific discoveries made, we still have pretty much the same brains as Paleolithic man some 40,000 years ago.
Being the sophisticates we are, magic belongs to other times and other cultures! Not hardly.
We fear what we don't understand, so when lacking an explanation that suits us, we simply assign one. With Paleolithic man, because he understood so little, most things were magic. Thunder and lightning, the appearance of game, illness. The Ancient Greeks and Romans simply assigned all unexplained phenomenon to "the gods." During the Middle Ages, black magic came into its own and a crop failure could mean a hot time for a an ugly old crone in the village.
Occam's Razor
Because we are so heavily wired to accept magic as an explanation, most of us at best think Occam's razor -- a 14th century principle that says the simplest and most likely explanation is probably the best -- is the latest product from Gillette. At worst we actually employ the opposite, skipping over the likely and latching onto the bizarre. Minor things like physical impossibility are ignored.
Even when they are pointed out, to us the constellations don't resemble what they're named after. The constellation at the very bottom, middle, is supposed to be a water goat. Right.
So-called "Gulf War Syndrome," for example, is back in the news with a new Institute of Medicine study, with lots of stories referring to the "mystery." The media have put forth an incredible list of "causes," including such bizarre things as Scud missile fuel and the common insecticide DEET. The non-mysterious explanation is that, like everyone else, Gulf vets get sick and die. Huge numbers of studies show they're no more likely to do so than comparable veterans who didn't deploy – and far less likely than comparable civilians.
There's also massive talk in the media, among trial lawyers, and by the government, about the "mystery" of Toyota's sudden acceleration. "Cosmic rays" have been suggested, and quite commonly a "ghost in the machine." In fact, Toyota sudden acceleration complaints were miniscule until a horrific accident last August got tremendous publicity, whereupon they soared. But that's a simple explanation, therefore it's ignored.
Looking for Patterns
We also suffer from Paleolithic man's dependence on pattern-seeking -- the only science he truly possessed -- which helped tell when berries would appear or when a wild animal was dangerous. But pattern-seeking also leads to superstition. Stellar constellations, "finding" patterns in random assortments of stars, was a science to the Ancient Greeks.
Today we're constantly offered "patterns" from random events. We personally would never have identified them. But once somebody else identifies them, they become "obvious." Stare at a bunch of dots long enough and you'll eventually find what you seek.
That's especially true for those with an agenda, including some in the media. They thrive on sensationalism and often convince even themselves it's right there in those random dots. Sensationalism brings money, fame and prizes to reporters. But in fairness, they're just giving the public what it wants.
What was the pattern the WHO and UN saw linking swine flu to Spanish flu? Both started out mild.
So we get events like that in 1909, when thousands of people throughout New England saw a huge airship. The New York Times gave a very detailed description of the ship, its altitude, and movements. But there was no airship; it was all a hoax. (Look at the actual Times piece; it's a hoot!)
That's how we get "cancer clusters," such as recently "discovered" in southern Florida community. Never mind that it happens to include benign tumors and even tumors diagnosed prior to the patient moving to the area.
That's why, beginning in late April, 2009, with all of eight swine flu deaths reported worldwide, the World Health Organization and the U.N. warned it could be the next Spanish flu, an outbreak that killed 675,000 Americans in 1918-19. The only "link" they could find, though, is that both outbreaks began mildly. Had it begun fiercely, would they have felt reassured?
Patterns inherently soothe the Paleolithic brain, even if they indicate something terrible. And so we naturally become agitated as well as embarrassed when skeptics show there's nothing there. Nobody likes a party pooper.
But skeptics are out there -- just don't use a divining rod to find them. And be sure to be skeptical of them, too. We aren't cavemen, after all.
By Michael Fumento
AOL News, May 13, 2010
Copyright 2010 Independent Journalism Project
A few years ago, a federal judge permanently barred a South Carolina company from selling plastic devices with antennas attached to them, which the company had been hawking for up to $8,000.
There were, it turns out, too many of us willing to believe that this modern-day divining rod could detect everything from drugs to golf balls. (What? No wallets or car keys?)
Therein lies the puzzle. Why in an age saturated with information, do we believe such bizarre things? Things like crop circles, alien abductions, and 9/11 conspiracy theories? Why do we believe wild Toyota stories like the 94 mph "runaway Prius"? The gearbox allowed shifting into neutral by merely reaching out a finger, but the driver told credulous reporters he was afraid to do so because he needed to keep both hands on the steering wheel. And regarding that cell phone in his hand?
Why a steady stream of mass hysterias, like swine flu?
We believe bizarre things for many reasons, but at the core is that despite our computers and communications devices and other gadgets, and despite all the scientific discoveries made, we still have pretty much the same brains as Paleolithic man some 40,000 years ago.
Being the sophisticates we are, magic belongs to other times and other cultures! Not hardly.
We fear what we don't understand, so when lacking an explanation that suits us, we simply assign one. With Paleolithic man, because he understood so little, most things were magic. Thunder and lightning, the appearance of game, illness. The Ancient Greeks and Romans simply assigned all unexplained phenomenon to "the gods." During the Middle Ages, black magic came into its own and a crop failure could mean a hot time for a an ugly old crone in the village.
Occam's Razor
Because we are so heavily wired to accept magic as an explanation, most of us at best think Occam's razor -- a 14th century principle that says the simplest and most likely explanation is probably the best -- is the latest product from Gillette. At worst we actually employ the opposite, skipping over the likely and latching onto the bizarre. Minor things like physical impossibility are ignored.
Even when they are pointed out, to us the constellations don't resemble what they're named after. The constellation at the very bottom, middle, is supposed to be a water goat. Right.
So-called "Gulf War Syndrome," for example, is back in the news with a new Institute of Medicine study, with lots of stories referring to the "mystery." The media have put forth an incredible list of "causes," including such bizarre things as Scud missile fuel and the common insecticide DEET. The non-mysterious explanation is that, like everyone else, Gulf vets get sick and die. Huge numbers of studies show they're no more likely to do so than comparable veterans who didn't deploy – and far less likely than comparable civilians.
There's also massive talk in the media, among trial lawyers, and by the government, about the "mystery" of Toyota's sudden acceleration. "Cosmic rays" have been suggested, and quite commonly a "ghost in the machine." In fact, Toyota sudden acceleration complaints were miniscule until a horrific accident last August got tremendous publicity, whereupon they soared. But that's a simple explanation, therefore it's ignored.
Looking for Patterns
We also suffer from Paleolithic man's dependence on pattern-seeking -- the only science he truly possessed -- which helped tell when berries would appear or when a wild animal was dangerous. But pattern-seeking also leads to superstition. Stellar constellations, "finding" patterns in random assortments of stars, was a science to the Ancient Greeks.
Today we're constantly offered "patterns" from random events. We personally would never have identified them. But once somebody else identifies them, they become "obvious." Stare at a bunch of dots long enough and you'll eventually find what you seek.
That's especially true for those with an agenda, including some in the media. They thrive on sensationalism and often convince even themselves it's right there in those random dots. Sensationalism brings money, fame and prizes to reporters. But in fairness, they're just giving the public what it wants.
What was the pattern the WHO and UN saw linking swine flu to Spanish flu? Both started out mild.
So we get events like that in 1909, when thousands of people throughout New England saw a huge airship. The New York Times gave a very detailed description of the ship, its altitude, and movements. But there was no airship; it was all a hoax. (Look at the actual Times piece; it's a hoot!)
That's how we get "cancer clusters," such as recently "discovered" in southern Florida community. Never mind that it happens to include benign tumors and even tumors diagnosed prior to the patient moving to the area.
That's why, beginning in late April, 2009, with all of eight swine flu deaths reported worldwide, the World Health Organization and the U.N. warned it could be the next Spanish flu, an outbreak that killed 675,000 Americans in 1918-19. The only "link" they could find, though, is that both outbreaks began mildly. Had it begun fiercely, would they have felt reassured?
Patterns inherently soothe the Paleolithic brain, even if they indicate something terrible. And so we naturally become agitated as well as embarrassed when skeptics show there's nothing there. Nobody likes a party pooper.
But skeptics are out there -- just don't use a divining rod to find them. And be sure to be skeptical of them, too. We aren't cavemen, after all.
Rock me Jesus, roll me Lord...
Wash me in the blood of Rock & Roll
Wash me in the blood of Rock & Roll
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Comments
The topic that just won't die! I was on the public bus yesterday and saw yet another ad telling people it's not to late to get vaccinated for last year's flu.
ArthurDent, you were on this forum last year recommending that other members get vaccinated for flu. Is it only, specifically, "Swine Flu" that you find so stupid a cave man...?
H1N1 is an ingredient in the 'regular' flu shot every year.
On the other hand, I think that people are generally confused about what is going on nowadays because of an acceleration of information. It is impossible to take it all in, let alone UNDERSTAND it all. The amount of information known to man used to double every 1,000 or 100 years - now it is doubling every few months, and by 2012 information will be doubling every few days, then hours, and so on. Also, when most people become confused and jaded they think there is some sinister plot behind it all, hence conspiracy theories.
But when it comes to conspiracy theories, I think there is probably some truth to probably around 23 of them at any given time, but most conspiracy "groups" only last a 2 to 3 years, and that the grandiose ones are just good stories.
I also think that the scariest conspiracy theory is that NOBODY is in control. NOBODY knows what is really going on and destruction is inevitable given our current self-defeating economic system (capitalism) and the fact that there are ~10,000 nuclear weapons ready to go with the flick of the switch.
But when it comes to capitalism it is self-checked by Keynesian practices which are labeled as "socialist" by people who listen to Rush Limbaugh.
... who is a cave man.
I was specifically advocating that people in the health care field should get vaccinated, mostly as a safeguard to their patients. first off, swine flu is NOT a standard part of your yearly vaccine. second, i've found alot of people don't understand the difference between your regular flu strains, swine flu (H1N1) and avian flu (H5N1). The fact that there are different strains is why some years the vaccine works better than others. Your regular, garden variety influenza bug is widespread and potentially deadly, especially to certain at-risk populations (elderly, children, etc.)
Wash me in the blood of Rock & Roll
The big problem is that when people stop believing in magic, they're forced into things such as science... and reason. God forbid.
:arrow:
Wash me in the blood of Rock & Roll
Yes it is!
It may not be the exact genetic strain, but H1N1 is in common seasonal flu shots. Here is just one, "Fluzone." Scroll to section 11 on page 15:
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/UCM195479.pdf
I tried pasting the appropriate section, but the process kept failing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS5DaTIF1a0&feature=related
the toyota thing really irks me... i even made a thread about it.
people had time to make 9/11 calls but not throw it into neutral
this is all besides the point. recalls happen ALL the time, the Toyota thing was the perfect opportunity for the higher-ups to push their "buy american" thing.
Everyone in my family has a Toyota. Those things can get up to 400,000 km its sick!!
Rationality can't explain everything but it has its purpose. I'm typically a very rational and scientific thinker but there are "higher"circuits of consciousness. The "neurosomatic" circuit is available to you if you'd like to manage your rationality, survival, territorial, and adult personalities and balance them out... conciousness of the body and of the mind. All are equally important and to say one is "better" than the other is ignorant. Well, ignorant may be harsh... just not enlightened. And it is sad to be locked into the scientific mind. The reason "rational" thinkers like Einstein and Tesla were so imaginative is because they did not think in this linear manner... they were "out of their minds."
Yeah that article takes things that are controversial and claims that because some don't believe, or because there is no rational explanation, it must not be true. Science can explain most things but not all... sometimes we just don't know. Later in time, science might be able to explain it, but usually science will tell us something crazy that will look like "magic" today.
from a un report on depleted uranium munitions (and why they should be banned but we veto it)
One study of children born of United States veterans of the first Gulf War shows a more than 60% incidence of disability, deformity and other serious medical problems. Another study shows that United States Gulf War veteran' children have a much higher likelihood of having three specific birth defects: two types heart valve abnormality to children of male veterans, and genito-urinary defects to children born of female veterans. "Gulf WarBirth Defects" in the Lexington-Herald Leader, 4 June 2003. A study of British veterans of the Gulf War, Bosnia and Kosovo reveals that they have 10 - 14 times the level of chromosomal abnormalities than usual. H. Schrader, A. Heimers, R. Frentzel-Beyme, A. Schott & W. Hoffmann, "Chromosome aberration analysis in perifiral lymphocytes of Gulf war and Balkan war veterans," in Radiation Protection Dosimetry, vol.103 no.3, pp. 211-220.
There is increasing evidence that troubling weaponry was also used in Afghanistan, as a Canadian medical research facility found that the urine of Afghani people near where the United States carried out military operations contained radioactive isotopes 100 to 400 times higher than Gulf War veterans from the United Kingdom tested in 1999. The report is posted at www.umrc.net. The maximum permissible level for members of the public in the United States is considered to be 12 nanograms per year. The Canadian team recorded an average 315.5 nanograms in people in Jalalabad, Tora Bora and Mazar-e-Sharif. A 12-year-old boy near Kabul tested at 2,031 nanograms. After a second trip to Afghanistan, the Canadian team documented comparable results in a much broader area and larger population group. A prominent Afghani physician reports that there is a dramatic increase in birth defects in Afghanistan and people are experiencing catastrophic health consequences.
what are you but my reflection? who am i to judge or strike you down?
"I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank." - Barack Obama
when you told me 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'
i was thinkin 'death before dishonor'
(If you're not familiar with his infomercials, check them out... they're bizarrely mesmerizing)
Now he is asking for donations to his legal defence fund! Seriously. Look at the website for his radio show:
http://www.ktradionetwork.com
I have watched several of the episodes online. He has exactly the same personality as he had in his infomercials. He will cover some excellent information about GMO food, Big Pharma, etc. But then he will ask for listeners to join his pyramid scheme at "just" $1000 down and $150 per month.
What a character.
He was scheduled to give a lecture at a natural health expo in Long Beach last month. The first day had free admission. I was hoping to attend so I could see what he was like in real life. He ended up being barred from leaving Illinois. None of the other speakers at the expo intrigued me enough to travel 90 minutes each way to the venue, so I didn't bother.