• MotoAsh@piefed.social
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    22 hours ago

    Nah. Anti-intellectualism is absolutely a thing.

    Why are people not trusting experts? Why are people not thinking through problems for themselves?

    It’s not because they do not trust certain people. It’s because they believe their ignorant opinion is just as valid as a researched conclusion.

    It’s pride, expressed in the dumbest way possible.

    • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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      15 hours ago

      Why are people not trusting experts?

      People are trusting “experts”. That’s how they’re getting the information necessary to distrust other experts.

      Dr Oz has “Doctor” right in his name! If he goes on Oprah - the show that brings on a parade of ahem “experts” to explain the world to a population of shut-in housewives - and warns that vaccinations are why your kids aren’t Ivy League Material, people listen.

      It’s because they believe their ignorant opinion is just as valid as a researched conclusion.

      Their opinions don’t just emerge Ex Nihilo. And they aren’t breaking arbitrarily for or against certain topics. They’re polarized around a set of reactionary beliefs because they’re trained into it by reactionary media, reactionary politicians, and reactionary local institutions.