In the “bifurcational approach to reality” mentioned in an earlier column, we may divide people into two kinds of thinkers. Dependent Thinkers tend to believe what they’re told. If an authority figure tells them that the world is getting colder, and tells them things they can do to help save it, an astonishing number of them will take even the most ridiculous statements seriously.
When the same authority figures reverse direction, and tell them that the world is getting warmer, a similar sense of alarm will fill their minds. They will embrace it, and alter their behavior accordingly. Few will notice their own inconsistency. If they do happen to notice their reversal, they will be told they are “progressive”, and should congratulate themselves for so being.
Dependent Thinkers are much desired by every state. Dependent thinkers will allow themselves to be driven from fear into slavery if they are told that is “the safest way”. They will not point out obvious flaws and contradictions in the thinking they hear.
Some try to leave the depressing morass of dependency by automatically assuming that every public figure is always lying. Some, like Ralph Nader, make that leap, and are disappointed to learn that what they, themselves, say as a public figure is not believed. The fact is, on some occasions public officials may be telling the truth, if only by accident.
The other kind of person falls into the Independent Thinker group. They have found that it’s always reasonable to assume that anyone who wants to raise taxes is lying.
