this post was submitted on 11 Apr 2024
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The most frustrating thing about things like this is how seemingly most people dont learn.
Like getting suckered or being wrong once, fine, maybe. But I feel like people just double down instead of dealing with the mildly uncomfortable moment of admitting fault.
Not only not admitting fault but somehow making it the fault of the very people that told them exactly what would happen.
Don't put your hand in the fire, johnny, it'll hurt. johnny stares you in the eye as he puts his hand defiantly into the fire Ooooow, it burns! Why did you make it burn me?!?
You push Johnny into the fire.
Worse: a generation can learn and then forget. Boomers learned first hand how bad war was when they were being sent off as bullet sponges to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Korea. They conveniently forgot all of it when it came time for their kids to go.
I just finished reading Harry Potter 4, goblet of fire to my kid. The last chapter, despite all the evidence and good people telling him Voldemort has returned and (spoiler after 20 years?) killed Cedric, etc. the minister of magic, Fudge, struggles mightily against their statements and eventually, instead of admitting the truth and accepting what he must do, decides to make enemies of those who wield the truth to shelter himself from the discomfort, fear and pain and decides to pretend Voldemort isn't real. It's a pivotal moment in the series and one that sets the tone for the rest of the books, the very adult/political/media battles of the mind, perceptions, and propaganda...by a leader who was a good person overall I think but couldn't face the music.
I was explaining to my kid that sometimes people just want to avoid reality, and when they are in important roles, it can be devastating. I also told her all people have the same instinct, to avoid conflict, pain and discomfort, but that by learning to go through it you realize it's far better than the alternatives.
This is what I have accepted in the last 5 or so years. No matter how much information I can provide about climate change, people just brush it off like it doesn't matter.
It's a defense mechanism. When you think about the amount of things they would have to learn and change their mind on, and then weigh those against "do whats easy", it's not surprising people change their minds less as they age.
Fudge specifically says how terrible it would be to upset the order and calm that has been built in Voldemorts absence. Keeping his safe place is his priority.
I have a working hypothesis that the dumber and more insecure you are, the less likely you are to admit that 'I was wrrrr'.... ...that 'I made a misttt'.....
You see?
Anecdotal, but the evidence so far is persuasive.
They care more about being sure than being right.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aqGn-1XX7cI