Maybe this National Public Radio story explains why we elect idiots and crooks over and over. We don’t want facts to get in the way. With an electorate like this making such insane and irrational decisions you have to wonder whether a dictatorship is so bad. At least you could apply rationale to why a decision was made!
From the NPR ( http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128490874 )
In Politics, Sometimes The Facts Don't Matter
July 13, 2010
New research suggests that misinformed people rarely change their minds when presented with the facts -- and often become even more attached to their beliefs. The finding raises questions about a key principle of a strong democracy: that a well-informed electorate is best.
Transcript (extract):
Copyright © 2010 National Public Radio®. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required.
NEAL CONAN, host:
This is TALK OF THE NATION. I’m Neal Conan in Washington.
We'd like to believe that most of what we know is accurate and that if presented with facts to prove we're wrong, we would sheepishly accept the truth and change our views accordingly.
A new body of research out of the University of Michigan suggests that's not what happens, that we base our opinions on beliefs and when presented with contradictory facts, we adhere to our original belief even more strongly.
The phenomenon is called backfire, and it plays an especially important role in how we shape and solidify our beliefs on immigration, the president's place of birth, welfare and other highly partisan issues.
Have the facts ever convinced you to change your mind, and how did it happen?
Story is continued on the NPR site which also has an audio of this episode.
