Why do people fall for obvious FUD and manipulation so easily? What is it that causes us to suspend rational and intellectual honesty in favor of the emotional “charge” we get out of propaganda?
The quote below summarizes things quite well:
If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way.
- Bertrand Russell
Clearly, we believe what we WANT to believe.
