If only we laymen could simply trust our scientists, without thinking critically for ourselves, as we once trusted priests and rabbis. Alas, those days are gone too. Recognizing such things does not make you ignorant. It makes you a realist.Journalists are the chief promoters of the priesthood of the conformist. Journalists conform with each other, and they reward with good PR any other professional who conform in the same way.
Which is the only reason that people who oppose liberty are labeled "liberals," and people who oppose "the progress of science and useful arts," and the Constitution puts it, are called "progressive."
Conformity is also rewarded. Some clown touting the global warming line can make millions on the lecture tour and receive endless honors.
Saying CO2 is good for the earth won’t get much more than a bus ticket out of town.