Gregs opening discussion on AI in google cars is the best argument to learn programming. A get a job programming the life evaluation algorithm in the driverless cars.

I wonder how much political stubbornness is actually related to the left/right dichotomy and how much is just adherence to party politics. If it's just party politics I can understand the parity with religious belief. I guess the moral of the story is, question everything always, especially yourself! :)

When I look at why people hold onto the belief that humans aren't in some large measure causing climate change It always seems to come back to blame versus responsibility. Adults are just children with experience (so profound, I know.. but go with me on this) and children definitely don't like taking responsibility for something they didn't do. They see it as being blamed. For example, you find a mess in the living room and you ask your child to clean it up. A common response is "But I didn't do it". You have asked them to take responsibility for cleaning the mess but they perceive it as being blamed for making the mess.

This translates to climate deniers as well. They are being asked to take some percentage of responsibility for cleaning up the mess humans have made of the planet but they perceive they are being blamed for making the mess, even though it started in the 1800s before they were born.

None of us like being blamed for things we didn't do. It's hard to take responsibility for cleaning up the mistakes (albeit unwitting mistakes) of past generations.

There is no point in yelling at climate deniers or calling them stupid or ignorant as it will only make them more defensive, The research done by John Cook does give tools on how to talk calmly and effectively with deniers of all types

If you want to read more about Blame V Responsibility have a look here - http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/recognizing-the-distinction-between-blame-and-responsibility.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/enlightened-living/201003/taking-responsibility-versus-taking-the-blame