Rebecca Blood channeling Cass Sunstein - Third Superpower

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Rebecca Blood channeling Cass Sunstein

Authored by Michael Pate on May 30th, 2003 at 11:22 AM

Democracy depends on groups of people coming to terms with one another, and devising solutions that will address the needs of most, if not all, of its citizens. Even a system like mine, in the United States, where majority rules, cannot afford to completely ignore the needs of anyone not in the winning party. Democracies simply cannot function unless citizens and policy-makers can talk to one another and achieve some sort of common ground in addressing the issues of the day. However, when people can choose their news and information from an unlimited variety of sources, they usually will choose sources that confirm their pre-existing biases. According to theFolklorist.com, confirmation bias is “a tendency on the part of human beings to seek support or confirmation for their beliefs.” It makes sense, if you think about it. The only basis we have in evaluating any source of information is the set of information—including opinions—that we have already decided is true. Very few people will be inclined to choose primary sources of information that consistently put forth ideas that just seem wrong. - Rebecca Blood

Links in this entry:

Confirmation Bias
waging peace: using our powers for good

Comments

Jerry Weinberg has a nice phrase for something like confirmation bias: "Our findings depend on our lookings."

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