Flat Earth

Are you aware that there is such a thing as the Flat Earth Society? I was, but I was surprised to learn that, at least for a few people, it's still pretty serious stuff. According to the Wikipedia Flat Earth entry, no one has provided proof that the world is not flat. Here I had been thinking that it was a tongue in cheek thing.

Since it is, evidently, taken seriously by some, does this mean that we ought to hold regular debates? Should the news, whenever noting anything at all about the earth being spherical, be compelled to also mention the "other side of the issue"? Or should the weight of scientific evidence to the contrary preclude the need for further debate?

If people want to believe something, either seriously or perhaps jokingly, they certainly can. Extremely strange beliefs that people hold would be an excellent topic for a future post in this or perhaps some other blog. But just because someone believes something doesn't in and of itself necessitate that they be given equal time with someone else who has scientific consensus on their side.

By now you can see where this is going. There is a contingent out there who will not believe in scientific evidence, except where it suits them. Again, this is their right. I only have a problem when they try tp convince others, especially children, that they're right.  In some cases, it's all due to their religious beliefs, as is the case for evolution. In other cases, like for climate change, it's due to the money.

If you're a polluter, it certainly does not suit you to believe the science, You will spend your nearly unlimited resources trying to muck up the truth in order to convince people that, "the science isn't in yet." Worst of all, you will buy more and more politicians, until you get your way.

So when there's a "debate" about climate change, think of it in the same terms as a debate about the spherical vs flat earth.