Why Can't We Agree on Facts?

Nobody who understands the ideals and principles of science... is against those principles.
We all recognize it's our best and most robust truth seeking system. So why do we all seem to disagree so passionately on testable and observable topics?

[bit_pineapple]

I tend to find even after you convince someone they're wrong they'll typically say something along the lines of "You're right, I was mistaken but...." then proceed to list ways they were half-right.

[gavinjenkins]

As a scientist, the vast majority of claims are not cited, and if they were, it would be hellish and ridiculous. There are definitely "it is known" common knowledge claims made constantly, within my field (including plenty of things on par with frogs being cold blooded). You only generally cite relatively new or less universally agreed upon things. Otherwise, everything (Noobs, 2001) would look (Julius, 1937; Hlinkey, 2006; Bob & Bob, 1950) like (for discussion, see Tim, 200 B.C.) this (Ulius, 1985; but alternatively consider Frims, 1942) sentence (See Grammar Society, 1970), and you'd lose track (The pope, personal communication 2001) of (Gertrude, 600) everything (Eventide, 1770; though Colorus argues only some things, 1660).

[SawtoothWaves]

I love how you went back and forth between professionalism and humor. Very nice video!

[NoriMori]

12:55 - 13:46 - I remember reading a section in the newspaper (I don't recall its name, but it was paired with _Slylock Fox_ ) that answered questions sent in by kids. One asked why we have to learn things in school when there's so much information on the internet. The response given was that schools don't just teach information; they also teach critical thinking. I laughed. And then I was very sad, because it was the first time that I actually realized that _they fucking don't._ I've never looked at mainstream schooling the same way since then.

[bananamanasaur]

people say they would press the left button because to them the buttons do the same thing

[mirensummers]

"we did go to the moon... it was flat too" XD

[esul]

"Sometimes when a person holds wrong ideas it's not because they're lying or they've weighed all the options and have decided the wrong ones are best because their brains are broken, they do so because those are the only ideas they've interacted with. Likewise, many people who hold correct ideas do so because those ideas are the only ones they've interacted with."

So true!

[ThisPlaceChannel]

I think I should give Jesse all my money. Boom. Right button.

[pay]

dinosaurs dying next to snakes? sounds logical enough

[thesneakysnek]

Another reason why many people cannot agree on things is that many would argue that emotions can sometimes be more credible than facts

[typhoonzebra]

The production value is too good for the amount of views.

[DaniiiiPhantom]

They sent that NIPCC report to my climate change professor a few months ago. He actually applauded them on their dedication to following the format, page by page, of the IPCC report. It's quite a clever way to get the attention of people who don't necessarily know the difference between the two organizations or understand what they're all about.
Oh, and great video!

[djr]

If scientific literacy (and skepticism) were as commonplace as regular literacy (and credulity) then society could free itself from the charlatans and suckers

[TheAlison]

Could you make a high res wallpaper of the list of things the brain does that are dumb?

[carpedm]

how it should be;
science: there is a problem.
people: lets discuss a solution.

how it is;
science: There is a problem.
people: Lets discuss if there is a problem.

[amcname]

"Butta whatta mystery!" And the insipid background music to go along with the critique of the Heartland Institute's informative pamphlet. So good. Best thing on the internet.

[ratelslangen]

"The socialists and the capitalists".

Except that politics isnt science and the views people hold arent hold because "its the truth". People hold those beliefs because it achieves their goals, goals which are subjective from person to person.

[LimeyLassen]

Trouble with the button question is that some opinions can't be objectively true or false. For example, one person thinks we should stop developing farmland to protect the ecosystem, another person wants to liberty to feed their family no matter the cost. Pushing a button that makes everyone have the same beliefs would be wrong no matter which button you pushed or what the result was.

[MEGAEVILPENGUIN]

we just had triplets.. we only have two nipples! that's the kind of thing you never think about until it happens

[mrsuperguy]

loving the subtle Alex Jones reference.