DAVE ROSS

Ross: ‘March for Science’ defied the laws of persuasion

Apr 24, 2017, 6:36 AM

march for science seattle...

Thousands participated in the March for Science in April 2017. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz)

(AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz)

Over the weekend in Washington and around the country, scientists and their supporters marched for science – holding signs such as “May the facts be with you” … “Planet over profit” … “Science makes beer.”

RELATED: Seattle prepares for marches and mayhem on May Day 2017

The trouble with the March for Science was that it defied science. The idea was to change the minds of conservative politicians. But the science of how to change people’s minds shows that simply confronting people with facts doesn’t work.

Dr. Arthur Lupia, a political scientist at the University of Michigan, says you have to understand your audience.

“If you were a scientist and you walked into an Evangelical congregation and you started talking about evolution, and then wanted them to believe things about climate change, you’re probably sunk,” Lupia said. “Whereas if you walk in front of the same congregation and talk for a while about stewardship, of creation, and establish shared values, they might hear you differently.”

The science of political persuasion says human beings are not wired to automatically accept facts unless those facts make them feel good about themselves and their beliefs. In a book called “The Believing Brain,” science historian Michael Shermer quotes study after study showing that beliefs trump facts. He argues that people primarily want to reinforce what they already believe.

“It’s not until you shift social groups where people think differently, then your beliefs can shift,” Shermer said. “But by themselves, just with new evidence, almost nobody changes their mind when they’re within a social group that reinforces that particular belief.”

A march is a confrontation. It’s saying: you’re wrong, we’re right, and we’ve taken over this park, or this street, to force you to listen.

Bottom line: marching in the streets may work for some causes but it’s not a good way to promote science. According to science, anyway.

Although, you get a million people chanting “Science makes beer” – that could work.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

3 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

10 days ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

1 month ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

1 month ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

1 month ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

2 months ago

Ross: ‘March for Science’ defied the laws of persuasion