I can forgive those who deny climate change. It is horrible to look directly into the face of an ugly future. To survive, thrive and keep our social structure requires lots of privation and work. And we may be unable to summon the willpower necessary. Humans may really not want to do all that work and sacrifice - and so may choose to ignore it. In this case, a typical reaction is not to deny facts, but rather to ignore them.
"Yes, yes, looming global climate instability - So?"
Not fighting to stay ignorant, just passively giving up.
This is the opposite side of the spectrum from denial - because here we actually accept and know that AGW is real, and that there a globally serious challenges. This is way over on the other side - the side that just wants to ignore the bad news. Like an ostrich putting its head in the sand. Dismissing danger.
I have met them - usually they appear to be very happy, doing what they want. And they accept even the most dire predictions - but they refuse to be bothered. There is very little written by these folks...after all, why bother? And they don't do blogs.
These are people I meet face-to-face. I have no new information for them, since they are relatively current and completely accepting of the science.
This may be the classic "out of sight - out-of-mind" attitude. And these people are almost as difficult as denialists. The only difference is there is no obstruction and they demand little. But this attitude is no beneficial value to our future. This problem requires full engagement by the entire population.
Two groups are missing: the professional denialist on one side and the benignly dismissive on the other.
"Yes, yes, looming global climate instability - So?"
Not fighting to stay ignorant, just passively giving up.
This is the opposite side of the spectrum from denial - because here we actually accept and know that AGW is real, and that there a globally serious challenges. This is way over on the other side - the side that just wants to ignore the bad news. Like an ostrich putting its head in the sand. Dismissing danger.
I have met them - usually they appear to be very happy, doing what they want. And they accept even the most dire predictions - but they refuse to be bothered. There is very little written by these folks...after all, why bother? And they don't do blogs.
These are people I meet face-to-face. I have no new information for them, since they are relatively current and completely accepting of the science.
This may be the classic "out of sight - out-of-mind" attitude. And these people are almost as difficult as denialists. The only difference is there is no obstruction and they demand little. But this attitude is no beneficial value to our future. This problem requires full engagement by the entire population.
Two groups are missing: the professional denialist on one side and the benignly dismissive on the other.
Leave a comment