When Did Ignorance Become Desirable?

We live in a country where ignorance seems to be a desirable trait. Sometimes even celebrated. We've all heard someone say "I'm not a (fill in a type of expert), but I believe (or know) the opposite of the experts." Another oft used phrase is "I don't use or know anything about that new-fangled technology". They then laugh about it. Sometimes they make up some stupid example to prove their point. 

Of course, this trend has been exasperated by the GOP in general and Trump in particular. They deny climate change. They repeal environmental regulations. They push old and outdated industries. 

In the private sector, parents refuse to vaccinate their children. They believe a former Playboy Playmate over the thousands of doctors and health scientists. This is an especially egregious and selfish denial since many people cannot be vaccinated because of age, allergies, compromised immune systems, or major disease. Those people depend on the healthy population to keep diseases at bay. 

There is a trend towards ignoring actual facts. If the facts don't line up with a person's beliefs or opinions, they can be ignored. It matters little how much factual evidence there is. In the same vein, any media or news organization that a person disagrees with is wrong, even fake news. Again, it makes no difference how many facts back up the story. 

I have probably mentioned this before but I spent my entire adult working in the information technology profession. I wrote and maintained many computer programs and operating systems during that time. I was often disappointed that those programs didn't perform as I wanted but rather exactly how they were written. Opinion and wishes had no effect. 

It is the same with facts. By definition, a fact is true. Of course, mistakes are made and sometimes what is thought to be a fact is later proved wrong. At that point, it is no longer a fact. Interpretations of facts can differ. Facts can be manipulated to prove a viewpoint by withholding some of the facts, emphasizing only those that support the view and other techniques of persuasion. Regardless, a fact cannot be outright denied. That is a lie. An example of a fact is that it was 65° yesterday. An opinion or interpretation is that it was warm yesterday or maybe it was cool. The opinion is open to debate, the actual temperature isn't.

This premise becomes even more convoluted in our legal system. Something can be wrong but not illegal. It can be illegal but not provable. Even then, there are facts. It is the only interpretation that differs. 

As the saying goes, you get to have your own opinion, you don't get to have your own facts.

Research the issues of our times. Ignorance is not bliss, it is ignorance.

wjh