The sociological reason so many Americans are ignoring facts.
An intriguing sociological reason so many Americans ignore facts - Business Insider
Don't be a grease fire.
An intriguing sociological reason so many Americans ignore facts - Business Insider
There is more than one reason this is happening. But one reason I think the alternative-facts industry has been so effective has to do with a concept social scientists call the "backfire effect."
As a rule, misinformed people do not change their minds once they have been presented with facts that challenge their beliefs. But beyond simply not changing their minds when they should, research shows that they are likely to become more attached to their mistaken beliefs. The factual information "backfires." When people don't agree with you, research suggests that bringing in facts to support your case might actually make them believe you less.
In other words, fighting the ill-informed with facts is like fighting a grease fire with water. It seems like it should work, but it's actually going to make things worse.
Don't be a grease fire.