Reply #2: because of human psychology

[selador]

we have never had a more democratic and open system to be able to access information, in the history of mankind.

anybody with access to the internet can read news, blogs, etc. from all over the world.

years ago, even very extensive libraries didn't offer access to anywhere NEAR the amount and diversity of information.

the REASON is that , to a large extent, people latch on to information (whether true or false) that confirms their own biases and what they want to believe.

this is true to lesser or greater extent, with every single person on earth. it is limited to no party, ideology, gender, race, etc.

it's simply an aspect of human psychology.

i think there is this view (on the left AND on the right) that if only people had access to the same information, that they'd come to the right conclusions ... and of course for these people the right conclusion is the one held by oneself.

clearly, that is not the case.

i'll defer to russell...

If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way

The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way.

Every man, wherever he goes, is encompassed by a cloud of comforting convictions, which move with him like flies on a summer day