He examines a study of "informed voters" which comes to the following conclusion: "Achens and Bartels's conclusion is grim: much of what looks like learning in American politics is actually, they argue, an elaborate performance of justifying the beliefs we already hold."
In other words, facts themselves have become meaningless. The more "informed" we are, the more likely we are to be "informed" with incorrect facts used to justify our already-held belief systems. No amount of facts disproving this will change our mind. Instead, we'll simply question the source. Clearly no source that disagrees with us is worthy of considering.
Depressing, eh?
On the other hand, is this article just another example of me finding a source that agrees with my already held opinions about other people's opinions?
(Snapping fingers Beatnik style) Dig the philosophy, baby.
