I guess I will define myself as a kook by pointing out that I think the following are myths:

1) Climate is influenced by CO2 production.

2) The ozone hole is caused by man-made refrigerants.

3) Saturated fat helps cause or causes heart disease.

4) A retro-virus known as HIV causes destruction of the immune system.

5) Public education teaches kids the things they need to know.

Assuming I’m right that these are myths (granted, a leap), they all follow the same pattern:

A theory is produced to justify a large government program. The theory requires millions or billions of dollars in funding to test.

This requires building a narrative to justify the funding, which involves talking as if the theory is true.

By the time the money is allocated, and the tests are done, very large interests have been formed based on the theory being true. The theory being not true is no longer acceptable.

Wretchard is one of the smartest guys I read on the internet (IMHO), somehow I doubt even he could solve the puzzle.

James