Podcasts about why they deny science

Can science denialism be blamed on a "Republican brain"? In other words: is there something about the psychology of Republicans that makes them inclined to reject the scientific consensus on topics like evolution and climate change? Special guest Chris Mooney argues there is, elaborating on the thesis in his popular book, "The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science- and Reality." Massimo and Julia debate whether the evidence support Chris's thesis. Sped up the speakers by ['1.0', '1.06']

Sink your teeth into our discussion of the hypocrisy and absurdity behind the horse meat debacle; the real scandal behind SodaStream’s SuperBowl ad; the 10th anniversary of a key propaganda coup for the selling of the U.S. invasion of Iraq; and the utterly sad Gun Appreciation Day events held this past January. Then our interview guest — author and journalist Chris Mooney — talks with us about political psychology and his book The Republic Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science — and Reality.Episode LinksLiberator!SodaStream: A Case Study for Corporate Activity in Illegal Israeli SettlementsEx-Powell Aide Lawrence Wilkerson Debates Author Norman Solomon (Democracy Now!)War Made EasyConservatives Have Their Worst Week Ever (Rolling Stone)Chris MooneyThe Republican BrainTargeted killings: OK if Obama does it? (Salon)Episode MusicDrop Dead – At the Cost of an AnimalKim Mitchell – Go For A SodaVoivod – The GetawayM.O.D. – True Colors

Can science denialism be blamed on a "Republican brain"? In other words: is there something about the psychology of Republicans that makes them inclined to reject the scientific consensus on topics like evolution and climate change? Special guest Chris Mooney argues there is, elaborating on the thesis in his popular book, "The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science- and Reality." Massimo and Julia debate whether the evidence support Chris's thesis.

Aired 05/16/12 Crazy though it may be, I assume many have accepted the fact that the Republican party has a problem with science and ultimately with evidence facts -- reality. It is now a matter of politics for them to deny science. Among their presidential primary candidates, only Jon Huntsman and Mitt Romney accept that warming is happening and humans are a contributing factor. CHRIS MOONEY has been on this trail for years. In 2005, he wrote the best-selling THE REPUBLICAN WAR ON SCIENCE. By the time their anti-science, anti-reality bias was established, MOONEY was asking a deeper question. Did science have anything to teach us about why? And it turns out, recently, science does. That brings us to Chris's new book, The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science and Reality. According to Mooney, from climate change to evolution, the rejection of mainstream science among Republicans is growing. Not only that, so is denial of expert consensus on the economy, American history, foreign policy, and much more. Why won't Republicans accept things that most experts agree on? Why do they fight facts? He writes that the political parties reflect personality traits and psychological needs -Republicans wedded to certainty, Democrats to novelty - and this is the root of our divide over reality. Hopefully, understanding how or why Republicans deny science and facts should suggest ways to interact and work with that "reality" differently in order to be more effective moving forward. http://scienceprogressaction.org republicanbrain.com

Guest Host: John Shook  In this special episode of Point of Inquiry, we interview our host himself—about his new book, The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science and Reality. From climate change to evolution, the rejection of mainstream science among Republicans is growing, as is the denial of expert consensus on the economy, American history, foreign policy and much more. Why won't Republicans accept things that most experts agree on? Why are they constantly fighting against the facts? Science writer and host of Point of Inquiry Chris Mooney explores brain scans, polls, and psychology experiments to explain why conservatives today believe more wrong things; appear more likely than Democrats to oppose new ideas and less likely to change their beliefs in the face of new facts; and sometimes respond to compelling evidence by doubling down on their current beliefs.