The delusion is similar to the ones that the religious have, especially the YEC sorts. They don't believe in science, unless they think they can twist it to support their agenda. In reality, MOST people don't really understand science or the scientific method very well in the US for that reason. The level at which we understand the things we can say with scientific merit is absolutely mind expanding, and in science, care and scruple are default positions before outwardly making a claim. Your entire reputation relies on it.  Ninja Edit: It also has overlapping correlation btw. The Stupidest states in our country are also the fattest, and the most religious. They're also the poorest and have the highest rates of crime.