[Teever]

Its because they're in a death cult purity spiral.[0] They suffer from cognitive dissonance so a part of them understands this stuff but another part of them identifies so strongly with their peer group and profession that this second part wins out.

It's really unfortunate that such glaring cognitive defects appear to have doomed the human race smothering itself to death on this planet instead of reaching out to the stars.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purity_spiral

[kjkjadksj]

The oil industry sees some of the most advanced applications of engineering on earth. One would think this is a sector used to disruption and investing in emerging technoligies with potential for profit because that is how they’ve been optimizing the oil industry this entire time. I guess somehow a line is drawn in the sand with oil vs not oil but I don’t know why. It seems hard to imagine that these massive corporations are structured such that the influence of engineers and consultants are eschewed for the feelings of a few of uninformed people. Seems unbelievable to put that amount of money behind such obstinate thinking.

[tovej]

It might be psychological, Exxon famously held back their report on the impact of oil on the climate in 1977. If you've fucked the whole world over that badly and know it, and then denied it for decades, it might be very difficult to acknowlwdge and repent. Doubling down might be easier.