These findings are interesting, but I found the article repetitive. It took far too long to cut to the chase. It's also not clear whether some of these studies draw conclusions about people in general, or Americans in particular, and likewise the author seems to flip between global statements and claims specific to American society.

An insightful article which discusses the ways we build our belief systems. Emotion, background, experience, ego, education, even negativism, triumph facts and truth. While we tend not to believe it, we think more with our emotional side than with our intellectual side. A must read for anyone wanting to understand today's political discourse.

This is a fascinating story that absolutely provides sufficient context to understand its scope and to support the concern it voices for our democracy. Reviewers who found it otherwise may want to give it another read. Perhaps the facts in this story somehow challenge some reviewers personal beliefs, compelling them to find fault with what seems to me to be a very well reasoned and straight forward article. Then again, that might just make them more entrenched in their position!

Fascinating article with clear explanations of cognitive science concepts and their relevance to the political process in the U.S. Its findings point to definite areas of study in political science, communications, journalism and cognitive science. A very complex societal phenomenon is examined in a meaningful way. I would have liked to have links included to the studies mentioned; often these are available online.

This article is right on target as far as it goes. As long as some news sources and too many politicizations spread false information with no recourse true facts will be hard to find.

Thought provoking article, and worthy to read, review and comment. However, this is on a topic where each issue requests to be argued and considered in an impartial and lucid way. It's somehow little sad that how politics makes the democratic domain muddy.

Nothing very new in this article, and it's unfortunate that only general references to researcher findings are included. Most examples given are of the unsupported biases of the political right, which makes the article unbalanced in its assertions. It's also disappointing that the writer offered no solutions--only a flippant remark about the impossibility of reigning in glib politicos. Keohane might have pointed out that responsible broadcast journalists should do fact checks on those they interview, and report them later, rather than simply allow "he said, she said" reports to go unchallenged. That's what good journalism is supposed to do, isn't it?

This is an excellent story and something of extreme importance to any democracy. Various studies show that when people beleive something that is demonstrably false and are shown such, instead of changing their mind, they actually become more entrenched in the belief that they were right. Given the premise on which democracy is based, that an intelligent society can steer the country in the right location, this seems to indicate a significant roadblock. As the article points out, you may have someone that's fairly well-educated and right on 90% of what they believe, but are so resistant to change that you can't get them to recognize they're wrong on the other 10%. The problem is it's not even clear how to combat this ... More »

Fascinating story on how our brains process factual information. This in-depth analysis covers recent research suggesting that our beliefs influence our interpretation of factual evidence in deeper ways than we realize, as shown in studies by the University of Michigan, George Washington University and Stony Brook. Highly recommended.

I've noticed that liberals continue to have great faith in government programs in spite of repeated failure. Same for believers in global warming. No mater that its not warming, they believe. It's easy to pick questions to try to make the right look bad. I could do the same with the left. It's like ripley's believer it or not.

Important topic, covered substantially, backed repeatedly.