Part 4/8:
The term "consensus" stands as a flashpoint in these discussions. It often evokes skepticism, particularly among those aligned with more traditional viewpoints. Critics argue that for many, particularly on the right, consensus translates to capitulation—an expectation that one must yield to a prevailing narrative, even when it contradicts established facts. In this light, compromises can feel akin to mixing food with poison, a troubling dilemma when critical issues, such as climate change, demand clear-cut truth rather than ambiguous agreement.