Denialism and ‘assertism’ are two sides of the same coin
The Hindu
When you believe in nothing, you can believe in anything. World leaders might deny climate change, evolution, or genocides involving their citizens. However, such people have no trouble spreading stories of immigrants eating house pets or being born non-biologically or the impossibility of gender equality “because it goes against the laws of nature.”
When you believe in nothing, you can believe in anything. World leaders might deny climate change, evolution, or genocides involving their citizens. However, such people have no trouble spreading stories of immigrants eating house pets or being born non-biologically or the impossibility of gender equality “because it goes against the laws of nature.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump called climate change a hoax, and on being told of sea levels rising, responded with: “Great, we have more waterfront property.” He might be an extreme example of a person of consequence denying facts while simultaneously giving breath to lies.
“Denialism”, a word in use since mid-nineteenth century, is defined as “the practice of denying the existence, truth, or validity of something despite proof or strong evidence that it is real, true, or valid.”
We are all in denial occasionally. A friend invites us home to dinner which turns out to be terrible but we say, “What a grand meal that was!” Being in denial is an important element of social discourse. The only acceptable answer when someone asks if she has put on weight is: “Of course not.” Sometimes we maintain a diplomatic silence about things we see clearly. This is necessary denial, a mild or even apathetic version of denialism. Refusing to acknowledge a bad habit in oneself is a form of denial too.
Denialism and, to coin a word, “assertism”, the practice of insisting on the existence or truth of something despite proof it is not valid, are two sides of the same coin. Both distort the truth. What connects them is irrational belief. Conspiracy theories grow out of such belief.
According to a Public Policy Polling survey about a decade ago, some 12 million Americans believed that interstellar lizards in people suits ruled the country. About twice that number believed the moon landing was faked. Banging on pots and pans would drive away the Covid-19 virus we were told and millions responded with vigour.
Conspiracy theories recognise that some people do not accept the current narrative. That is not always a bad thing, as a psychologist once pointed out. For if we were all completely trusting, it would not be good for survival.
The BBMP’s Social Welfare Department is now finalising five designs of the e-vehicles for various trades on the street. While one vehicle accommodates a stove, gas cylinder, and a kitchen and is meant to sell food, another has a display area to sell clothes, shoes, and the like. Three more such custom designs are being finalised.
Historically, the greening of a city, technically located in the arid Deccan Plateau, can be traced back to the efforts of Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, who initiated the city’s first significant vegetation projects, including the commissioning of Lalbagh. His efforts were continued by his son, Tipu Sultan, who went on to complete the project. After his death in 1799 at the hands of the British during the ill-fated Battle of Srirangapatna, the latter moved the cantonment to this city, which—in turn—saw the planting of numerous trees, many exotic, in the city. Today, the city’s urban landscape is enriched with a variety of trees, both native and exotic, including native species like jackfruit, neem, red silk cotton, Gulmohar and copper pod, among many others.