Paul Krugman has been writing lately about what he calls "zombie ideas." Climate change denial is a zombie idea. So is pandemic denial. Both are zombie cousins. Both are rooted in disdain for expertise. Krugman writes:
When you have a political movement almost entirely built around assertions that any expert can tell you are false, you have to cultivate an attitude of disdain toward expertise, one that spills over into everything. Once you dismiss people who look at evidence on the effects of tax cuts and the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, you’re already primed to dismiss people who look at evidence on disease transmission.
This also helps explain the centrality of science-hating religious conservatives to modern conservatism, which has played an important role in Trump’s failure to respond.
Those who deny both climate change and the pandemic also fear the halo effect of government action:
Conservatives do hold one true belief: namely, that there is a kind of halo effect around successful government policies. If public intervention can be effective in one area, they fear — probably rightly — that voters might look more favorably on government intervention in other areas. In principle, public health measures to limit the spread of coronavirus needn’t have much implication for the future of social programs like Medicaid. In practice, the first tends to increase support for the second.
Modern conservatives have zeroed in on who and what they consider are their most powerful enemies -- experts and government. They've done this on the climate change file. And they're doing it during the coronavirus pandemic.
Image: theenemy.com.br
10 comments:
There is little doubt in my mind, Owen, that when this is over, the hard right-wing will harp on the deficit and the need for austerity, lest people get the idea that there is a better way to conduct the world's affairs.
Conservatives moan and conservatives bitch:
"The rich are too poor, and the poor are too rich!"
Cap
At the heart of the conservative critique of society, Lorne, is the notion being poor is evidence of moral failure. The flip side of that critique is the notion that selfishness is a virtue.
Strange, isn't it, Cap? The rich man's "burden."
Back in the mid-70's, Owen, I moved to a town that had a 2 yr college and even though I was working full time I decided to enroll in their night school program with the goal of achieving a 2 yr. Diploma (which after several years I actually achieved!).
Among the courses were were Psychology, Sociology, and others that covered Human Relations etc. One of the concepts that surprised me and I'm sure is still applicable was how people viewed their place in society with respect to (financial) class.
Seems that the richer segment preferred to describe themselves as being of the "middle class" but the more interesting piece was that the poorer segment also preferred to describe themselves as being of the "middle class".
I drew from this theory that the majority of citizens were most comfortable thinking they were part of this great "middle" class. I've come to the conclusion that this delusion of where we actually exist in our overall economy is probably the best explanation of why a lot of people actually vote against their own best interests when it comes to how money is allocated in our present economy.
.. I would add a few comments re this excellent post..
- substitute halation for halo ('halo' implies.. uh, something perhaps blessed, holy or saintly)
https://www.google.com/search?q=halation,+definition&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
- introduce 'Contraryism'.. a term I utilize. No matter what OUR Government, especially a Minority Government such as our current one decides, it seems Opposition Political Parties such as the Andrew Scheer lead Party will vouch for the very opposite.. and proclaim that as Truth or Reality or a 'steady hand on the tiller' or a defense of 'middle class Canadian Values' ..
- also, in my view, 'Conservatives' only 'object to Government', when its not them controlling Government. Further to that, any elected MP is actually part of OUR Government - OUR Parliament.. notwithstanding the constant sloppy or intentional conflation from MainMedia. That's easily seen as well when MainMedia conflates Bitumen with Oil - an anology would be - Ground hamburger & hamburger helper is not Ground Roundsteak, nor is it Ground Sirloin - 'unfairly discounted'
Finally, I must raise the spectre of 'captured Political Parties' which inevitably results in Captured or Sold Out Government.. as well as elected & unelected 'Public Servants' who mysteriously become multimillionaires. Somehow these Public Servants, despite 'blind trusts' seemingly bat 1,000 with their investment portfolios. That's right.. precient 100% perfection, beating all odds & better than Las Vegas bookmakers, always. Can anyone spell 'insider trading' via privileged & well in advance knowlege of impending legislation ?
How is poor Scott Brison getting along with the 'more time with his young family and husband Mr Trudeau ? Or was 'omerta' invoked pray tell ? He blew town so fast just prior to the Lavalin Conundrum there was jet wake behind him & the extreme turbulence hit Ms Wilson-Raybould and Ms Jane Philpott. Seemingly a connecting flight led to Mr Brison being hired enroute to a Senior role with RBC, in charge of who & what else, but their Lavalin investment portfolio.. Whew.. how fortuitous !!! A wondrous miracle of happenstance eh ?
As well, woe betide any Mainstream Media or Indy journalist who would dare question how an elected MP and Ontario homeowner could have an Alberta Healthcard and Driver's Licence, yet live in Ottawa year round. That is illegal. This while also claiming they 'lived in hotels while being a Senior Government Minister'. Then at the same time declaring his mommies basement in a retirement complex (that did not allow sub renting..) his Principal Residence... as well as submitting all related travel & other expenses in order to 'be made whole'. Its a modern miracle, living in three seperate places, in many provinces.. all at the same time somehow.. a 'loaves & fishy' kinda thing.. halleluja eh ?
I think there's probably something to that, Lulymay. If we all think we're part of the "Great Middle," we really don't understand how those who aren't -- and their numbers are growing -- live.
Mr. Kenney really is an interesting case, sal. There has never been a man who is more at seizing an opportunity.
Mr. Kenney really is an interesting case,
Kenney is an opportunist of the lowest level.
These days successful opportunists come in the form of Jeff Bezos that shorted his own stock to make a quick four of five billion ( shit to the millions, who cares)
Kenney also finds himself batting for a team that has already lost!
The truth is out on Alberta.
As it is for world wide economic taste!
May they rest in peace.
TB
Something tells me they will not go gently into that good night, TB.
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