Continuing coverage on the battle of the Models of Reality, Brainwrap on Daily Kos has some data presentations that don’t help the alternative model of reality:
It’s not difficult to see that living in counties that didn’t vote for the former President is a lot safer than living in Trump-preferring counties. The ratio of highest to lowest death rate is roughly 5.5, which is not small.
But is it large enough to get the attention of the alternative model of reality crowd?
That’ll depend on their location. Those who live in the blue counties may not notice the difference in death rates, unless they have extensive contacts with red counties. Red county inhabitants may notice extra deaths occurring, but, depending on their “faith” in their model of reality, they may or may not be shaken out of their complacency.
And I don’t speak only of strength of faith; the quality of what they believe about their model may leave it an unshakable edifice. If they think this is just God bringing the faithful home, well, that’s that. Death cults are notoriously difficult to discourage.
But for those who are not in a death cult, it all depends on their exposure to tragedy. If they can visit the local hospital and realize it’s tremendously overworked, then they may realize their model of reality is inferior to the dominant mode.
But will they be rational about it? It’s easier to shout Lies! than to admit a mistake. Right up until you’re the one in the overcrowded ICU, hoping to breath, hoping to survive.
