08-22-2007, 06:26 PM
It isn't unrealistic at all: Most people aren't beyond hope, and are merely continuing on in their misconceptions because they haven't examined them. In fact, the majority of people haven't actually thought about what they believe in, while at the same time they haven't gotten so caught up in it that their life would radically change if they were to realize the inanity of those beliefs. For example, how many times have you crossed your fingers and hoped something would turn out the way you'd like, or worn a lucky pair of socks for the same reason? Neither practice has any effect on the outcome, nor would their absence be noticeable. Education and awareness campaigns have a great success rate with such 'light' delusions because they foment discussion and contemplation (Teaching for conceptual change is one implementation of this).
But regardless of the probability of success, there is a crucial reason to pursue such a goal: The pseudoscience death toll is climbing. Think about how many homeopaths, naturopaths, chiropractors, touch therapists, applied kinesiologists, and other scam artists bilk money from the sick and dying for literally no medical benefit. And what of the biggest problem nobody's heard of; HIV/AIDS denialism? That's based on exactly the same credulous mindset and ignorance of science, and it stands to kill millions.
Then there are the hot-button issues: Contraception, sex education, stem cells, global climate change, global overpopulation, evolution, homosexuality, and even the Holocaust. There are people spreading--and believing--demonstrably false information about all of those things, and that's causing its own big problems.
But regardless of the probability of success, there is a crucial reason to pursue such a goal: The pseudoscience death toll is climbing. Think about how many homeopaths, naturopaths, chiropractors, touch therapists, applied kinesiologists, and other scam artists bilk money from the sick and dying for literally no medical benefit. And what of the biggest problem nobody's heard of; HIV/AIDS denialism? That's based on exactly the same credulous mindset and ignorance of science, and it stands to kill millions.
Then there are the hot-button issues: Contraception, sex education, stem cells, global climate change, global overpopulation, evolution, homosexuality, and even the Holocaust. There are people spreading--and believing--demonstrably false information about all of those things, and that's causing its own big problems.