"It isn't that they can't see the solution. It is that they can't see the problem."-- G. K. Chesterton 1874-1936: "Scandal of Father Brown" (1935)
"While some of the more outlandish rumors may dissipate, it is likely that misperceptions will linger for years, hindering substantive debate over the merits of the country’s new health care system. The reasons are rooted in human psychology.
Studies have shown that people tend to seek out information that is consistent with their views; think of liberal fans of MSNBC and conservative devotees of Fox News. Liberals and conservatives also tend to process the information that they receive with a bias toward their pre-existing opinions, accepting claims that are consistent with their point of view and rejecting those that are not. As a result, information that contradicts their prior attitudes or beliefs is often disregarded, especially if those beliefs are strongly held."
-- Brendan Nyhan (NYTimes 3/25/10) Photos below: Sharrett/Marshall/Bickford
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