Photo via CC License from Flickr user Robert S. Donovan
The percentage of Americans who believe in global warming continues to decline, after reaching a peak of 75 percent in 2001. Since 2007, when 71 percent of Americans believed in global warming, the percentage has taken a precipitous fall, to just 51 percent, according to a recent Harris Interactive poll.
via ecoAmerica/Blog: Just 51% of Americans Believe in Global Warming, Down from 71% in 2007.
This is, of course, because people don't really make decisions based on science and facts. "Data-driven decision-making" sounds great and makes sense. But the reason consultants talk about it so much is because so few people actually make data-driven decisions. Instead, people make decisions based on feelings and gut reactions and then rationalize their decisions using the "facts" that support their feelings. Why? Because every fact has some kind of counter fact -- or counter "fact." Feelings are intangible and not subject to being countered in the same.
Scientists: 2000 studies point to man made climate change.
Skeptic: Well, two showed something else. Plus, it was cool that one week in June. So, I don't believe you.
Now, if we really made data-driven decisions, the 2000 bits of data would far outweigh the two bits. But we don't. That's why lotteries exist.
Lottery ad (the tiny, tiny print): Odds of winning approximately 299,000,000 to 1.
Lottery ticket buyer: So you're saying I have a chance? I'll buy three tickets. Now I have THREE chances!
We need a better story not better science.
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