What happens when we have a wonderful cause or belief, a soapbox, a bandwagon, and then we find out that the facts we love to use to support it are not correct?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about finding out that the very foundations for your belief systems are wrong, just something minor.  You know, the fact that you proudly (and with martyrdom) eat 2 cups of spinach daily because studies have shown that it makes you grow Popeye-esque muscles. But then, the rug is pulled out from under you; someone points out that all those documentary films you based your theory and practice on, were actually just children's cartoons.

What to do now?  Here's the thing. It's not now wrong to consume your spinach, you have just lost your "important" reason for doing so.  The information you so glibbly spouted and gleefully shared is ... incorrect.  You are known as the spinach guru in your circle, people even ask you about your spinach regimine.  If you let on that your basis is unfounded, you could lose all that.  No one is going to come to you for their spinach 4-1-1, and even worse, all those people who thought you were crazy... well, now you can't throw your defense back at them.

Is this truly an ethical delima?  I believe so.  Obviously the spinach example is merely that, an example.  But I am disturbed about the frequency that I see this scenario among various circles I am in.  To clarify, it's not the scenario that is disturbing, it's the response.

1. Someone presents new or better information that contridicts the teachings of the great spinach spouter.  Instead of everyone beign glad to become better informed, the masses seem to want to shoot the messenger.  They LIKE the old information, the one that supported the pet peeve, that elevated the soapbox.  Don't MESS with or CHALLENGE the incorrect information. WE LIKE SPINACH!

Here's the thing, no one wants you to give up spinach. Spinach is fine. I do want you do know WHY you are following the spinach bandwagon.  Simply presenting the correct information is not being "anti-spinach" I just want you to know that while it's high in iron and will give you lots of bulk fiber, it's not going to turn you into Popeye.

2.I think it's unethical (and perhaps immoral and even sinful) to continue to promote your old message once you know it is not correct.  In many cases it's probably not necessary to actually go back and tell everyone you were wrong (unless of course it was a purposeful lie, or , the misinformation is harmful), just stop speading the news.

Simply WANTING to be right, doesn't make it so.  Just because the truth of a matter goes against your favored position doesn't make it any less true.

oh yeah, don't shoot the messenger.