Thanks for the lengthy reply. What worries me is not that people are not educated enough and use their own circle of trust to build their opinion. If it would be the case it could be solved with discussions, education and facts.

Before the internet people (including academics) were aware what they had no idea about almost everything except their own field. Can you imagine John Doe talking about virology or climate dynamics in a bar in 1990? People would have had a good laugh about him. Today people think they are competent in a field after watching a few ragebait videos. The other thing is that once they picked a team they stick to it, admitting they were wrong is out of the question. If you correct them with facts it is considered arrogant. They are unable to keep a consistent standpoint even between single questions of a discussion. For example if they start with "climate change does not exist" and you then show them a temperature chart of the last centuries they immediately switch to "yeah, but it is not human made". After asking where the carbon in the oil goes after oxidizing its "ok its human made but a few degrees wont be a problem" and so on.

I don't see how this can be countered anytime soon. Even the last summer here in Europe didn't change much. People still vote the same parties. That is idiotic. At least believe your own eyes dammit...

My hope is that the younger generations will not give in to the same bullshit. Unfortunately, until they are the majority we're already in deep shit territory.

I hope i'm wrong.