Is it just Australians who resist the word of "experts" and reject the facts presented to them by authorities? But come to think of it I've seen it in America, in Europe, in Britain - "Lies, lies," they cry, "they're trying to trick us."
This hit me recently, over a beer with male friends. The topic of global warming came up and to my surprise, a majority called it an invention.
"But the CSIRO has warned us" - I started to explain but was interrupted: "Ah but they're all scientists, aren't they?"
"Who else would you ask?"
"They're just trying to protect their research grants!" There was general agreement around the table.
Later, I saw a report in The Guardian, UK, that a peer review of 12,000 scientific papers found 97 per cent agreed global climate change was caused by human action. But I doubt even this would change their minds. They'll tell me only three per cent know what they are talking about.
When I speak to women, I find more rejection of experts - this time, the doctors. A campaign against vaccination has been running for some years. A particularly "scientific" report blamed infant vaccination for rates of autism, causing a sharp decline in coverage for newborns and infants. The research was proved false and the author de-registered, but the tale lives on. Somehow the dangers of vaccination are seen as greater than the diseases which once ravaged our babies.
Now we have a situation where whooping cough epidemics are spreading in parts of the world where it was almost eradicated. Washington State saw cases increase by 1300 per cent, the highest in 70 years.
In parts of Wales authorities have had to rush in immunisation programs because of an outbreak of a measles epidemic. Yet in some areas parents were still dragging their feet even as they heard the warnings.
Here in Australia there is the same problem, with large numbers of children not getting their two-month whooping cough vaccine, nor the measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox at 18 months. Warnings have gone out including the current vaccination ads on posters and TV. But the response has been slow, particularly in the wealthier, better-educated suburbs.
Ironic? Well I blame the web. When you search for data on these topics, one site looks much like another. They all boast authoritative "scientists", they all claim the latest research. The only way to identify the genuine is that they have more hesitation and less certainty. The charlatan is totally positive and totally convincing.
The web is such a wonderful magic pudding. All knowledge and information is within reach of your fingertips. But you can't be lazy with it. You have to explore thoroughly, find the 97 per cent, don't be seduced by the three per cent, even if it would be the much more comfortable position to take.
Here's an incentive: If you do the research and get a clear view of the future, you can plan your business around it.
What's the world going to do to solve its energy problems on a hotter planet? What products will be most needed? Where will we get energy that's cleaner? What sort of industries will Australia have when we no longer make cars? How can you get the most benefit out of an instantly-connected broadband network?
These aren't problems, they are opportunities. Already there are smart business people getting rich coming up with answers.
But you have to brush past the bar-room fantasies and focus on reality. Maybe even listen to what the experts are telling you. That's where the future is.
ray@ebeatty.com
