this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2023
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Just as an aside, the "people involved" are science deniers. They are malignant sociopaths who invent disinformation for personal gain. And the people who believe them are often violent when challenged.
Scientists have avoided berating people and patiently laid out the data with context from professionals in the field since the beginning of science. This has made the science deniers bolder, and their followers more violent. The professionals are targeted, and the concept of expertise is demonized. That isn't hyperbole, religious fundamentalists cast education as a tool of the devil.
Anyone who publicly debunks fake science and myths will eventually fall to sarcasm, derision, and anger, because that is what their opposition deserves and requires. We should mock the obstinately ignorant. We should respond to stupidity with anger, because it is not an innocent mistake. It is a threat to society, and it may be what kills us all.
This is really harmful rhetoric, while I’m sure you didn’t mean it in this way, you’re essentially saying that people should be treated badly simply for being misinformed or, worse, for having an intellectual disability. Wilful ignorance deserves derision, but we absolutely shouldn’t be hateful towards people who aren’t as lucky to be as educated or as intellectually talented as we are
The difference between stupidity and ignorance is intent.
According to who? Because every dictionary I checked has the first definition of stupidity as being something along the lines of “lacking in intelligence”, “having a lack of wit or intellect”, “slowness or incoherence with regards to reasoning”, and ignorance defined as something along the lines of “a lack of knowledge”, “uneducated on some facts” etc.
Neither of those have any involvement whatsoever with intent.
If you want a term to describe intentional ignorance, then the best phrase imo is “wilful ignorance”. If you want a phrase that means that someone is intentionally refusing to accept facts or reason because it would conflict with their beliefs, then “dogmatic” or “bigoted” are better suited than stupid. If someone genuinely doesn’t understand something then you should not be angry with them, that’s just cruel.
While all of that is true, I don't feel like that's a stance I wish to take. How do you bridge that gap so that other's can come out of that space? Berating a child for their beliefs does little in the long run if they have an echo chamber they can retreat to. I completely understand if that's not your concern and you would rather not waste the time with science deniers, it can be dangerous and frustrating as you've stated.
These are not children. There is content for children to learn and understand science. There is content for adults to learn and understand reality, for that matter. Debunking lies and disinformation is not a context that calls for temperance. If someone questions whether climate change is real, or if worm pills are as effective as a vaccine, they should be made to feel stupid. They should be ashamed of giving voice to their ignorance. Asking a question is how you learn. Spreading lies is anathema to education, though.