Photo by cesarastudillo.

This week at Nothing in Biology Makes Sense!, Sarah Hird delves into the psychology of science denialism to understand why facts alone can’t help a creationist:

Rosenau makes the case that when we (scientists/science supporters) talk to deniers/agnostics, conversations that begin in the scientific realm very quickly turn to religion, personal freedom, morality and even capitalism. The denial stems from how people identify themselves and how they see the world; it can be rooted in fear, anger and distrust of things outside their social group (religious and political affiliations are two major such groups). … The denial is not rooted in scientific facts.

To learn what does help denialists come around, go read the whole thing.◼