The "Rich Idiot" Effect: Why Rich Republicans Are More Opposed to Climate Science Than Poor Ones

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/environment/rich-idiot-effect-why-rich-republicans-are-more-opposed-climate-science-poor-ones



We've known for some time that as Republicans become more highly educated, or better at general science comprehension, they become stronger in their global warming denial. It's a phenomenon I've called the "smart idiot" effect: Apparently being highly informed or capable interacts with preexisting political biases to make those on the right more likely to be wrong than they would be if they had less education or knowledge.

Now, a new study in the journal Climatic Change has identified a closely related phenomenon. Call it the "rich idiot" effect: The study finds that among Republicans, as levels of income increase, so does their likelihood of "dismissing the dangers associated with climate change." But among Democrats and independents, there is little or no change in climate views as levels of income increase or decrease.

The study, by Jeremiah Bohr of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was based on an analysis of pre-existing data from the 2010 installment of the General Social Survey—a leading source of survey information about the US public. In addition to questions about levels of education, income, and political party affiliation, the survey asked the following: "In general, do you think that a rise in the world's temperature caused by climate change is extremely dangerous for the environment, very dangerous, somewhat dangerous, not very dangerous, or not dangerous at all for the environment?"

Bohr looked specifically at those individuals who chose the "not very dangerous" or "not dangerous at all" options. And he found that at the lowest income level, the probability that a Republican would give one of these dismissive answers was only 17.7 percent. But at the highest income level, it was 51.2 percent. Here's a visualization of the chief finding, showing how the likelihood of a Republican giving one of these answers changes in relation to wealth:


Probability of dismissing climate change risks in relation to political party affiliation and level of income J. Bohr, Climatic Change, July 2014

[hollysmom]

1. Because ich people have more toys they would have to give up.

Hey, I stopped flying places, I haven't given up my car, but I walk as much as possible and drive less than 5K a year, which includes a long trip with friends to a distant state, which puts on almost 2K. But I travel with others. And several beach trips because I need it for mental health. Beach opens my soul. .

[deutsey]

2. It's the "beautiful mind" syndrome

as exemplified by Barbara Bush when she wondered why she should "waste my beautiful mind" on news about body bags and deaths during the invasion of Iraq.

[Sienna86]

3. Why should I care? I can buy my way out of it.

I have to believe that sentiment is at the core.

A typical Republican doesn't care what happens to others, as long as they are okay.

[maindawg]

4. Its the 'I got mine ' syndrome

When you buy a giant SUV, I suppose you have to justify that in your mind. When your carbon footprint blocks out your conscience you must replace that empty spot with more stuff. Sad really.

[Thespian2]

5. Interesting Information.

Point to consider: The earth and its environment does not know how people react to climate change. The total environment is changing, and that is a fact based in scientific research. How people react to this problem does nothing to make the science incorrect.

[Ikonoklast]

9. When the asteroid causing the K/T Event slammed into the Yucatan peninsula, it did not need

for any dinosaur or other life existing on the planet at the time to believe in it.

It happened anyway.

Republicans and science deniers are in the same boat, reality doesn't really care what you do or do not believe, reality will happen no matter what.

[KrazyinKS]

6. I call them LaLa Lucy's

They think bad things will never happen to them. Bad things only happen to people who deserve it.

[malaise]

7. For rich ReTHUGs political bias

supersedes rational thought based on empirical evidence every day of the week.

[raouldukelives]

8. And they have a problem with refugees at the border now.

As the old saying goes, you ain't seen nothing yet.

Pretty amazing the amount of damage corporations and ever increasing amounts of "prudent investors" have done not only to the struggles for democracy and hopes of third world people but now to the very ecosystems they rely on.
Sadly all the Wall St supporters will check out before they see any true glimpse of the horror they have wrought. But the echoes of the works they have done on earth will reverberate among the starving and suffocating lifeforms they leave behind, until even the memory of that affront to the most base of ideals is forgotten.
Not surprising they are in denial. I would imagine it is pretty hard for a killer to look into the eyes of victims families.

[rock]

10. It's quite obvious if you're rich

you don't want change, any change. So I've got to ask, "Why are Dems any different?"