Are You Crazy, Stupid, Ignorant, or Just Cognitively Biased?

Collide-a-Scape
By Keith Kloor
May 28, 2013 7:58 PMNov 20, 2019 3:17 AM

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

The world is full of people who hold whacky views. This doesn't make them nuts or stupid. We can mock Donald Trump for being a birther, but this doesn't make him a crazy person. We can ridicule Senator James Inhofe for believing that global warming is a big hoax cooked up by a cabal of climate scientists, but this doesn't make him an idiot. We can laugh at Bill Maher for his anti-vaccine and anti-GMO tirades, but this doesn't make him an anti-science loon. Similarly, with respect to where people stand on some issues or who they vote for, we shouldn't assume that intelligence or lack of information are major factors. Some of you may recall this now infamous Daily Mirror cover that appeared in the UK after George Bush's reelection in 2004:

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.