Contending In Vain, Against Stupidity

IN THE NEAR FUTURE a solar energy revolution, which has already begun, will sweep around the world, and save us all from the catastrophic effects of climate change. When that happens, all the climate change deniers, aka American conservatives, will shrug and say: " we tried to tell you all along that climate change was only a liberal hoax, and that there was nothing to worry about." And you know what? So what? Let the fools save face! Einstein said: "the difference between genius and stupidity is that genius is somewhat limited". The ancient Greek philosopher Agathon said: "against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." Then came P.T. Barnum, with his cogent and prescient observation that "nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people." The Europeans in general, many of whom have taken a chemistry class, find it amazing that anybody anywhere would doubt the simple, provable, observable science of climate change. They are stunned when they are told that nearly one third of all Americans deny it, merely because they, the conservative fools who deny it, understand that accepting climate change means accepting the need for fundamental change in human civilization, which, as we know, is anathema to those who embrace tradition and shun innovation. We should all be amazed at their stupidity. Or should we? The people who deny the obvious reality of the heat retention property of carbon also tend to embrace a primitive cult of human sacrifice as universal truth, and tend to believe that we would all be better off if we went around carrying guns. American conservatives believe that tens of millions of liberals worldwide, who should know better, are engaged in and duped by a conspiracy to use the "myth" of climate change as an excuse to foster government power and redistribution of wealth. There is no cure for stupidity, and unfortunately, seldom one for insanity.