I need a new word - can you help?

Question

The word is to describe people who, when faced with environmental problems and some proposed tech or regulatory solutions that will help a lot but will cause some inconvenience, do this:

declare that the PROBLEM is really SOMETHING ELSE and that we are all being comprehensively DUPED by the SANDAL-WEARING THOUGHT POLICE and produce a whole lot of their own imaginary or confused SCIENTIFIC FACTS which they emphasise liberally with CAPITALS

surely this breed needs its own word.  What's it to be?

evans_michael_ya · Accepted Answer

Try "hosts".

"In biology, a host is an organism that harbors a virus or parasite, or a mutual or commensal symbiont, typically providing nourishment and shelter. In botany, a host plant is one that supplies food resources and substrate for certain insects or other fauna. Examples of such interactions include a cell being host to a virus, a legume plant hosting helpful nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and animals as hosts to parasitic worms, e.g. nematodes."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Host_(biology)

Such a label clearly demonstrates the relationship between the "hosts" and those who wish to classify them.

Anonymous · Answer

The logic term for this is "red herring."

From Wikipedia.......red herring is an argument, given in reply, that does not address the original issue. Critically, a red herring is a deliberate attempt to change the subject or divert the argument. This is known formally in the English vocabulary as a digression which is usually denoted as "red herring".

It's what is called a "logical fallacy" which is basically something that seems like a logical argument, but isn't.

Anonymous · Answer

Believers

Froget it Bexy! · Answer

I think the word you are looking to describe the people who react with passion as "realists" and now I think I will block yet another non"realist" so I do not get duped into thinking that they have a real question.

David · Answer

GlennBeckisteins 

...you know, those "independent" and "free thinking" followers of whatever their favorite skeptical leader, website or talk show host puts forth as "fact"

Ben O · Answer

Infidels, apostates, non-believers, heathens, philistines

People who refuse to have faith in what they regard as extraordinary claims.

RUK9P · Answer

I believe the label you're looking for is: egocentric contrarian with a light dusting of "How could I possibly be wrong?"

Elvis4ever · Answer

you do not need a new word - use sceptics

JimZ · Answer

You can call me a 'GEOLOGIST' or "ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT"

bxmky · Answer

EnviroMENTALISTS

I need a new word - can you help?

10 Answers