I wrote recently about how ignorance â ignorance about history, about science, about economics and more â has become a core conservative value. This exaltation of ignorance naturally goes hand in hand with disdain for expertise: A vast majority of scientists may agree that greenhouse gas emissions are warming the planet, but hey, itâs all just a gigantic hoax. But wait, thereâs more. On the right, expertise isnât just considered worthless, itâs viewed as disqualifying. People with actual knowledge of a policy area â certainly those with any kind of professional reputation â are often excluded from any role in shaping policy. Preference is given to the incompetent â often the luridly incompetent.