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Neil DeGrasse Tyson, "There are certain aspects of science denial that are squarely in the left" (Original Post) progressoid Jun 2016 OP
Very, very true. trotsky Jun 2016 #1
Left wing as well as right wing DTF Hop David Jun 2016 #2
DTF also means something other than what you probably intend to convey here. Orrex Jun 2016 #6
Was gonna post a similar response. What does "DTF" mean? I am only familiar with the "other" meaning TacoD Jun 2016 #11
There are crusaders in the Democratic Party Warpy Jun 2016 #3
Steven Novella's take on this. HuckleB Jun 2016 #4
I like this simple line of his, progressoid Jun 2016 #7
One has to be really purposeful in challenging ones' perception. HuckleB Jun 2016 #8
For me it was belief in "ancient astronauts" and the "Bermuda Triangle." Archae Jun 2016 #10
I have one that will beat you all... Springslips Jul 2016 #14
That's an educational thread for me Orrex Jun 2016 #5
Yeah, progressoid Jun 2016 #9
Some people are allergic to asparagus... Dr. Strange Jun 2016 #12
Probably because it's gmo asparagus. progressoid Jun 2016 #13
 

Hop David

(26 posts)
2. Left wing as well as right wing DTF
Wed Jun 8, 2016, 01:17 PM
Jun 2016

Last edited Wed Jun 8, 2016, 04:45 PM - Edit history (1)

Neil's right that many liberals as well as conservatives are clueless when it comes to science and math. Most of the U.S. citizenry are DTF.

Evidence that liberals are scientifically ignorant -- most take Neil seriously. Someone with some knowledge of biology, aerospace, medicine, etc. would be constantly cringe as Neil dishes out one piece of misinformation after another. See Fact Checking Neil deGrasse Tyson.

An example is Neil's video on GMOs

. He argues GMOs are safe because we've been practicing genetic modification for centuries in the form of artificial selection. All the meat and produce at the grocery store comes from domesticated plants and animals who've been altered by selective breeding. However genetic modification as practiced by Monsanto is not artificial selection. Artificial selection favors traits that already exist in a population's gene pool. Monsanto GM takes DNA from one species and splices it on the genes of another. See this primer: Genetic Modification explained.

Which is not to say GMOs are bad. I'm not making that argument. I'm merely pointing out Neil is a fucktard when it comes to biology.

Orrex

(64,153 posts)
6. DTF also means something other than what you probably intend to convey here.
Thu Jun 9, 2016, 11:42 AM
Jun 2016

Some Liberals of my acquaintance are indeed DTF, and more power to them.

However, you should perhaps reflect upon the guidelines for the group in which you're posting.


Otherwise, welcome to DU. You'll fit right in with a distressingly large population here.

TacoD

(581 posts)
11. Was gonna post a similar response. What does "DTF" mean? I am only familiar with the "other" meaning
Fri Jun 10, 2016, 09:36 AM
Jun 2016

that you refer to.

Warpy

(113,131 posts)
3. There are crusaders in the Democratic Party
Wed Jun 8, 2016, 01:19 PM
Jun 2016

and given the daily barrage of glyphosate hysteria and anti GMO posts, I've been wondering where the borderline between information and spam lies and have been considering contacting the GD hosts with just that concern.

Some of that stuff belongs in the creative speculation group.

progressoid

(50,757 posts)
7. I like this simple line of his,
Thu Jun 9, 2016, 11:45 AM
Jun 2016

"people tend to be anti-science whenever science confronts their ideology."

I will admit I've been guilty of that. I'd like to think it is a thing of the past but it will likely happen again.

SCIENCE!!

HuckleB

(35,773 posts)
8. One has to be really purposeful in challenging ones' perception.
Thu Jun 9, 2016, 11:47 AM
Jun 2016

I used to buy into various alt med nonsense, anti-GMO foolishness, and organic is good silliness. I'm not sure how I overcame that. It was a long journey. Luckily, I didn't buy any anti-vaccine nonsense, and that led me to learn much more about other topics, and how science works, in general.

Archae

(46,831 posts)
10. For me it was belief in "ancient astronauts" and the "Bermuda Triangle."
Fri Jun 10, 2016, 09:16 AM
Jun 2016

Best book I remember that really changed my mind big time was "Flim Flam" by James Randi.

he obviously delighted in destroying those Italian "psychics."

Springslips

(533 posts)
14. I have one that will beat you all...
Tue Jul 19, 2016, 04:53 PM
Jul 2016

Reverse fn speech!

Oh young springs, so nieve.

I think some of us are so passionate about checking woo because we are pissed about buying into it on the past. I kniw I am.

Orrex

(64,153 posts)
5. That's an educational thread for me
Thu Jun 9, 2016, 11:32 AM
Jun 2016

For instance, I've learned that vaccines can only be considered safe if "there (sic) are perfectly harmless and never cause problems or adverse side-effects."


Signs and wonders.

progressoid

(50,757 posts)
9. Yeah,
Thu Jun 9, 2016, 11:51 AM
Jun 2016

There is some serious cognitive dissonance and circular reasoning in that thread.

Kudos to you guys for fighting the good fight. I didn't have the energy.



Dr. Strange

(26,001 posts)
12. Some people are allergic to asparagus...
Fri Jun 10, 2016, 10:06 PM
Jun 2016

therefore asparagus is poisonous and unhealthy.

Something most people are ignorant about, thanks to Big Asparagus.

progressoid

(50,757 posts)
13. Probably because it's gmo asparagus.
Fri Jun 10, 2016, 11:40 PM
Jun 2016

My all natural, gluten free, asparagus grown using Reiki massage is safe for everyone. It won't even make your pee smell funny.

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