How can incorrect theories that lead to bad outcomes persis…

Twetch · December 1, 2020

How can incorrect theories that lead to bad outcomes persist for so damn long?

I explore, using diet pills as an example.

https://isaacmorehouse.com/2020/12/01/diet-pills-and-persistent-error-in-health-and-science/

Replies

Twetch · December 1, 2020

Because people are dumber than a box of rocks. People still look for “low fat” food.

Twetch · December 1, 2020

Well now you just spoiled my post! ;-)

I don't think "people are dumb" is a sufficient explanation. It doesn't help us at all. It doesn't explain why people don't do scores of other dumb things but do some.

It may not be incorrect, but it's not complete.

Twetch · December 1, 2020

My bad! You’re right, it is quite a multifaceted hole. People are bombarded with disinformation.. we tend to listen to authoritative sources which mislead. Then there’s the pitfall of habit and the lack of incentive to do what’s right but difficult.

Twetch · December 1, 2020

For sure. Explaining why people do stupid or seemingly irrational things is one of the hardest things in the world!

Twetch · December 1, 2020

https://twetch.app/t/98a12ee46c3a62a011a0fb32236e78d86b0fd9d4aadc263ac26b956fe75dfd85