---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do an overwhelming number of respected…"
description: "\"“Do an overwhelming number of respected scientists believe that human actions are changing the Earth's climate? Yes. OK, that being the case, let's und..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/kalle-lasn-22904_advertising_do-an-overwhelming-number-of-respected-s_1287294.jpg"
---

#  Do an overwhelming number of respected scientists believe…

![“Do an overwhelming number of respected scientists believe that human actions are changing the Earth's climate? Yes. OK, that being the case, let's undermine that by finding and funding those few contrarians who believe otherwise. Promote their message widely and it will accumulate in the mental…” quote by Kalle Lasn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/kalle-lasn-22904_advertising_do-an-overwhelming-number-of-respected-s_1287294.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/kalle-lasn-22904_advertising_do-an-overwhelming-number-of-respected-s_1287294.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/kalle-lasn-22904_advertising_do-an-overwhelming-number-of-respected-s_1287294.jpg)

> ““Do an overwhelming number of respected scientists believe that human actions are changing the Earth's climate? Yes. OK, that being the case, let's undermine that by finding and funding those few contrarians who believe otherwise. Promote their message widely and it will accumulate in the mental environment, just as toxic mercury accumulates in a biological ecosystem. Once enough of the toxin has been dispersed, the balance of public understanding will shift. Fund a low level campaign to suggest any threat to the car is an attack on personal freedoms. Create a "grassroots" group to defend the right to drive. Portray anticar activists as prudes who long for the days of the horse and buggy. Then sit back, watch the infotoxins spread - and get ready to sell bigger, better cars for years to come.””

[Kalle Lasn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalle-lasn/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote describes a strategy to manipulate public opinion by amplifying a small minority of climate‑skeptical voices, treating misinformation like a toxin that spreads and shifts perception.

**In simple terms:** Use a few dissenters to poison public understanding about climate change.

Key Takeaway

Beware of coordinated misinformation campaigns.

Themes

propaganda public opinion climate change media manipulation

Mood

cautious critical concerned

Type

political environmental media

When to use this quote

- environmental policy debates
- political campaigns
- media strategy
- public health messaging

Key Concepts

information toxins grassroots mobilization freedom framing

Questions to Reflect On

- How do we protect public discourse from engineered misinformation?
- What responsibilities do media platforms have in preventing such tactics?

A Different Perspective

The tactic relies on public gullibility and may backfire if facts are verified.

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