How to Convince People the Earth’s Flat

(~2 minutes to read)

Apparently, we can be blinded by “science” if “science” throws some diagrams, graphs or charts in with the information being peddled.

This probably isn’t surprising, if you stop to think about it. In fact, the degree of surprise decreases with the amount of time you think about it, as shown in this graph.

This really is a thing, according to researchers at Cornell University.

In fact, the item that originally brought this to my attention touted the phenomenon as something that that could potentially sway people, no matter how ridiculous the claim or theory was.

This may help to explain many things; for example, how and why so many people think the Earth is flat—they’ve been shown pictures that prove it, such as this one.

This phenomenon could be dangerous though. It could, for example, be used to influence voting intentions.

Alberta Poised to Elect Hung Legislature

The latest opinion polls out today show four parties running neck-and-neck in the race to form the next government.

Only five percentage points separate the lowest and highest of these parties.

Would this chart precipitate a larger turnout, since no party seems likely to win a majority? Or would it cause tactical voting—voting for a party you wouldn’t normally vote for in order to keep a party you hate from winning?

What would the effect be if the article and supporting chart looked more like this?

It’s just a stab in the dark, but I’d guess that most of the “traditional” residents of Alberta would be seeking martial law.

The thing is, if I’d written something like, “Albertans intend to vote in a Green Party government—eighty-two percent of voters plan to vote Green…” people would be less inclined to believe me. But show them the chart, and watch out for the tanks on the streets!

Alberta voting in a Green government is surely among the more ridiculous claims one could dream up (with or without the assistance of recreational pharmaceuticals), yet apparently, people are more likely to believe it if the chart’s there to “prove it.”

For Your Own Benefit

So now that you know this dirty little secret, how are you going to benefit from it? Leave diagrams around the house showing what a great spouse/parent/kid you are? Create some “Approval Ratings” charts that show what a great worker you are, and post them on the coffee room walls?

Me—I wouldn’t dream of using this secret to my advantage. I don’t need to. Look at how my readership ratings have trended over the last six months.

Lucrative syndication deals await!