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How Politics Makes Us Stupid
dignin
Posts: 9,303
This is very enlightening science.
http://www.vox.com/2014/4/6/5556462/brain-dead-how-politics-makes-us-stupid
"There’s a simple theory underlying much of American politics. It sits hopefully at the base of almost every speech, every op-ed, every article, and every panel discussion. It courses through the Constitution and is a constant in President Obama’s most stirring addresses. It’s what we might call the More Information Hypothesis: the belief that many of our most bitter political battles are mere misunderstandings. The cause of these misunderstandings? Too little information — be it about climate change, or taxes, or Iraq, or the budget deficit. If only the citizenry were more informed, the thinking goes, then there wouldn’t be all this fighting.
It’s a seductive model. It suggests our fellow countrymen aren’t wrong so much as they’re misguided, or ignorant, or — most appealingly — misled by scoundrels from the other party. It holds that our debates are tractable and that the answers to our toughest problems aren’t very controversial at all. The theory is particularly prevalent in Washington, where partisans devote enormous amounts of energy to persuading each other that there’s really a right answer to the difficult questions in American politics — and that they have it.
But the More Information Hypothesis isn’t just wrong. It’s backwards. Cutting-edge research shows that the more information partisans get, the deeper their disagreements become."
http://www.vox.com/2014/4/6/5556462/brain-dead-how-politics-makes-us-stupid
"There’s a simple theory underlying much of American politics. It sits hopefully at the base of almost every speech, every op-ed, every article, and every panel discussion. It courses through the Constitution and is a constant in President Obama’s most stirring addresses. It’s what we might call the More Information Hypothesis: the belief that many of our most bitter political battles are mere misunderstandings. The cause of these misunderstandings? Too little information — be it about climate change, or taxes, or Iraq, or the budget deficit. If only the citizenry were more informed, the thinking goes, then there wouldn’t be all this fighting.
It’s a seductive model. It suggests our fellow countrymen aren’t wrong so much as they’re misguided, or ignorant, or — most appealingly — misled by scoundrels from the other party. It holds that our debates are tractable and that the answers to our toughest problems aren’t very controversial at all. The theory is particularly prevalent in Washington, where partisans devote enormous amounts of energy to persuading each other that there’s really a right answer to the difficult questions in American politics — and that they have it.
But the More Information Hypothesis isn’t just wrong. It’s backwards. Cutting-edge research shows that the more information partisans get, the deeper their disagreements become."
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Comments
If people ruled themselves by decency, conscience and common sense, there wouldn't need to be articles written like this.
All this mindless rah-rah take down the other team shit, might as well call the parties Ridgemont and Lincoln High.
This kind of writing should be required reading before posting on the AMT. I know I have been guilty of getting stuck in my views without looking at something more deeply. It's a hard impulse to restrain, and a constant fight. Whether its genetic or environmental I don't know.
This eliminates the theory of common sense. Thus your party will not succeed against parties that are more defined.
I often wonder why I voice my political thoughts. They differ from side to side, thus I think all despise my thoughts.
The whole party concept is inane nowadays, as we all have at least some common ground with others, maybe moreso than differences.
We all can't afford to lose at the expense of any party's success, for the sole purpose of claiming success.
Hail, Hail!!!
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
Politics is more difficult than physics - Albert Einstein
Good article though, I frankly believe that politics keeps us distracted from the real issues. Our politicians know this and take full advantage…
Godfather.
The stuff that we see is what they want us to see, it keeps us divided and therefore distracted.
There are two parties but they aren't Republican and Democrat, they are Authoritarian and Libertarian.
Protect the environment.
Reduce carbon the the atmosphere.
End war.
End poverty.
Promote peace.
Feed the hungry.
Give shelter to all.
Support the arts.
End racial bias.
What, me an idealist? Hell yeah! :-)
I say that because i have had numerous political debates with people who understand politics and have the ability to support their viewpoints with facts. Politics became stupid when stupid people began to express political views based on nothing that is supportable.
Hail, Hail!!!
:-bd