Just Politics

[blackhawks]

They are PAID not to get it.

It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it.

Upton Sinclair 1878–1968
American novelist and social reformer

Bard's take......

The quote "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it" is a commentary on the human tendency to protect one's own interests, even when those interests are in conflict with the truth.

When someone's livelihood depends on maintaining a certain belief or viewpoint, it can be very difficult for them to be open to new information or perspectives that might challenge that belief. This can lead to situations where people are willfully ignorant or even actively deny the truth in order to protect their financial security.

The quote is often used to illustrate the challenges of social reform. For example, it can be difficult to convince someone to support environmental protection if their job depends on polluting industries. Or, it can be difficult to persuade someone to vote for a candidate who supports universal healthcare if they work for a private insurance company.

The quote is also a reminder that we should always be critical of the information we consume, especially if it comes from sources that have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. We should be willing to question our own beliefs and to seek out information from a variety of sources before forming our opinions.

Here are some examples of how the quote can be applied to real-world situations:

A tobacco company executive may be resistant to evidence that smoking causes cancer because their job depends on selling tobacco products.

A politician may be reluctant to address climate change because their donors are from industries that profit from the fossil fuel industry.

A news organization may be biased in favor of certain political parties or ideologies because their advertisers or owners have a financial interest in those parties or ideologies.

It is important to remember that not everyone who is resistant to new information is doing so out of malice. Some people may simply be unaware of the facts or may have been misled by misinformation. In these cases, it is important to approach them with patience and understanding and to provide them with accurate information from trusted sources.

Ultimately, the goal is to encourage people to be open to new information and to be willing to change their minds when presented with evidence. This is essential for a healthy and informed society.