Classical Values :: May the greatest truths of the greatest masses be told!

July 11, 2007

May the greatest truths of the greatest masses be told!

Ann Althouse links a story about a remarkable French cabinet member who all but admits she's a 9/11 Truther. Asks Althouse,

What's stupider: the 9/11 Conspiracy Theory or that Traffic = Truth Theory?

The latter theory is explained thusly:

Asked in an interview last November, before she became minister, whether she thought Bush might be behind the attacks, [Housing Minsiter Christine] Boutin says: "I think it is possible. I think it is possible."

Boutin backs her assertion by pointing to the large number of people who visit websites that challenge the official line over the September 11 strikes against U.S. cities.

"I know that the websites that speak of this problem are websites that have the highest number of visits ... And I tell myself that this expression of the masses and of the people cannot be without any truth."

Yes, there are plenty of 9/11 Truthers running around in the United States. And yes, their expressions cannot be without any truth, so they are allowed to vote.

But I think it needs to be remembered that 56% of the French actually believe the sun revolves around the earth.

No really. If you don't believe me, just watch the video:

(YouTube link here.)

In the more enlightened United States, only 20% believe the sun revolves around the earth.

(My insatiably curious dark side would love to know the political breakdown of that group. I'm sure Democrats would maintain they're mostly moronic Republicans, while Republicans would claim they're Democrats, but I just want to know. I really and truly do.)

But let's apply Minister Boutin's theory to this data. If the earthcentric expressions of 56% of the French masses cannot be without any truth, but those of only 20% of the US masses cannot be without any truth, then which group cannot be without the most truth?

posted by Eric on 07.11.07 at 05:51 PM

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Comments

My guess would be that you would see more Republicans in the geocentric group, simply because I'm sure some people interpret the bible that way (ie these people: http://fixedearth.com/). I assume that people in both parties are dumb enough to believe that, but I doubt many Democrats do so for religious reasons.

Anonymous · July 11, 2007 07:13 PM

Notwithstanding the humorous link, I really don't think there is any religious view today holding that the sun revolves around the earth. Religious people might hold certain views I consider irrational, but this is more likely a product of rank ignorance -- either a complete lack of basic education or else just plain stupidity.

I'm wondering whether the the 9/11 Truthers and the earthcentric people would tend to vote together, or cancel each other out.

Eric Scheie · July 11, 2007 09:44 PM

We know that intelligence correlates with income and also that party affiliation correlates with income (Republicans being more attractive to high income earners).

You can draw your own conclusions.

M. Simon · July 11, 2007 10:20 PM

Is France considered more liberal or more conservative than the US?

Only Democrats could simultaneously believe they are for the working man and also smarter than average.

Pat Curley · July 12, 2007 03:21 AM

"But I think it needs to be remembered that 56% of the French actually believe the sun revolves around the earth."

Yes, but Eric....France is a democracy, and in a democracy, the majority rules. If 56% of Frenchmen believe that the Sun revolves around the Earth, then maybe it does....in France.

Chocolatier · July 14, 2007 08:18 PM

psilocybin stained cherished Kiewit Buchanan - Tons of interesdting stuff!!!

Anonymous · July 16, 2007 05:43 AM