There was an interesting Washington Post article this week about the increase in homophily — or the tendency of people to associate with others who are similar to them. This is particularly true with politics, as most people associate nearly exclusively with others who share their political beliefs. And because of cable TV and the Internet, they can also get news and opinions from their points of view. The result, the Post reported, is that “ever larger numbers of people seem to be sealing themselves off in worlds where everyone thinks the way they do.”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
54 Comments
I think politics can be such a heated issue that we avoid discussing it with people who don’t share our views. It would be impossible to only be around people who share your views, wouldn’t it? I certainly don’t associate exclusively with Democrats.That’s why we have WEblogs…it’s so much easier to call someone a babykiller! or a Nazi! over the internet rather than at the dinner table :)In all seriousness, though, I’d like to think that message boards/blogs give people the opportunity to consider an opposing point of view, without the bloodshed. I hope that it makes a difference.
Oh, and to those asking about me in the other thread, I was on the island that got the aftershocks. It wasn’t bad at all (kind of fun!), but we did lose power for an entire day. All is well now, though :)
Glad to hear it. :)
Though I am curious, has anyone ever had their view changed by an argument they read on the internet?
I think I have, but only on issues that I’m not passionately invested in.
Heh! Reading many of these comments on the WEBlog has made me lose my faith in humanity!:)
I think it does, Tara, though probably not that often.
tara i have had my opinion changed before only to find out that i was right all along to begin with so i tend to trust my judgement now
for some reason my keyboard is wacky today thus no caps nor punctuation<<
One of my best friends is someone who is about as far left liberal as you can get.
He and I yell at each other and argue all the time too.
We both have the understanding that we disagree and it is nothing personal.
Aftr 100 generations of it, it might lead to some very interesting differentiation.
Ass sniffers might become human bloodhounds, conservatives might become pitbulls, and liberals, well, they’d just have good stiff woodies.
I don’t know how you can get away from Fox News.
This article says more about Washington Post writers than anybody else . . .
capn: you can get away from fox news by using the blocking feature on your television. I did, and I’m better off for it.
Redefining cronieism? Maybe a term for ‘birds of a feather flock together.’ Or perhaps ‘drinking buddies’ or ‘the bowling team’ has moved up higher on the etymological scale.
And if the term means the tendency to associate with people that are similar to them; doesn’t that mean clanish; cliques; ‘good ol boys’; etc.
So if a group of individuals all had erectile dysfunction would they be part of new homophily group? How about one-legged jugglers that read mad magazine while whistling classical musical.
Where does one draw the line on homophily? If someone is x percent dissimilar than the group they cannot be classified with the defined homophily social class.
Or is this whole thread a hope that someone will err and attempt to classify a homophily group as homophiles or homophilic. Similar interests I suppose; homophiles are homophyly in nature.
I’m gonna go sort out my daily requirements into food groups and perhaps find some people that will join me on my quest for the liking of green shiny vegetables.
What we have lost is the ability to agree that we both want what we believe is the bast for our country – and we just disagree on what that is. Every time I am called an “America-hater” I totally tune out the person calling me that.
I think the WW2 generation in Congress (Dole, McGovern, Goldwater, etc) shared a blood bond that was stronger than their differences. We don’t have that any more.
Ben, you’re on to something. Those folks went through the Depression, then WWII then tried to put the world back together. They learned they had to pull together just to survive. Not the case in today’s Look At Me World.
Ben, I appreciate your thoughtful comments, with which I agree totally.
Dennis, good job in reminding us of the other commonalities shared by those named in Ben’s post. Tragically, the lesson they learned has been ignored in today’s political world, even though, I submit, the need to work together to survive is no less great now than it was then.
I think something that happens when we meet face-to-face (and I’m reminded of the meetup Hank Price arranged) is that we realize that we all have commonalities. We have kids we worry about, grandkids, jobs, we like hamburgers, etc. We all love our country and want what’s best for it. Hank is a patriotic American; his son nathan is serving our country. (However I disagree with them both!). I am a patriotic American. (However, Hank and nathan disagree with me!).
Ben, Dennis, Vaughn:
I think you all are right. We have forgotten that whatever label is attached to us (left-wing, right-wing, conservative, liberal), we agree on far more than we disagree on. Our common bonds are strong, and widely agreed upon. Our disagreements are primarily about the details.
And never forget that disagreement need not be disagreeable. Some of the persons I’ve considered closest friends are persons I have deeply disagreed with, politically. We are too quick to attach a label we see as pejorative on a person, and dismiss the point of view out of hand.
It’s not personal, folks. Don’t make it so.
I read the Eagle, and Wichita News Brief, I also watch The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. All news is slanted just from a simple choice of words by the writer, so go to as many sources as you can for your news.
I agree sarah. One of the reasons I like the NewsHour is that they often get the principals to an issue and I can then hear what THEY say.
I can’t imagine only being around people like myself. That would be painfully boring! I already know my own views; I want to be around those with different ideas and cultures. People who hang out with only their own kind end up intellectually inbred!
TARA, your question…YES, I have changed or moderated my position before, right here….TWICE!!!!
(ask Ed, if he ever comes back)
Ben, I love the Newshour.No idiots putting on a show like they are a one-man on Broadway or something.People with short attention spans can’t handle it, I’m sure.
Tracy, short attention spans is one factor in Mr. Kerry’s 2004 loss, IMHO. I, too, like the Newshour for the reasons given by you and Ben. Unfortunately, my workday is oft not done in time to view it.
Thanks for the idea: I penned this for my site.
I’m sorry. I can’t resist replying once again to an editorial by the idiot Holly Martin, editor of the High Plains Journal.
In her latest screed she describes being among a group of bakers, and asking one what she thought of a proposed ban in the city of Chicago of trans fats.
Imagine Holly’s surprise when she learned the bakers supported a ban of trans fats, because, “trans-fats can kill you.” It seemed all the bakers agreed, and they are right.
Trans fats (Holly’s use of the hyphen is incorrect) are solidified vegetable oils. Stick margarine is an example of a trans fat, and trans fats are a major contributor to heart disease, obesity, and raised cholesterol rates in this country. The Harvard school of public health estimated that 225,000 heart attacks a year could be eliminated if these fats were no longer a part of the diet.
Holly goes on to say she didn’t argue with those who agreed with a trans fat ban, even though she was interested in their philosophy, and even though one can imagine her mind snapping shut at that point like a bear trap on an animal rights activist. She’s right; they’re wrong, is her conclusion. Here’s what she says:
“Maybe she’s not a fan of a big bag of French fries, but I am. And if I want to skip the salad and have them, with extra salt, I want to be able to do that. I’ll pay for it later when my pants won’t fit, but that’s the consequences of my choice.”
Well, Holly, you slut: a ban on trans fats has nothing to do with French fries. French fries can be made with more healthy oils, and major U.S. chains are scrambling as fast as they can to change cooking methods, now that the word is out.
But again, Holly’s stance can be used to illustrate a wider theme. You have to ask the question again, how can the editor of one of the leading agricultural publications in the United States be so butt ignorant? A ban on trans fat use in restaurants wouldn’t hurt U.S. agriculture. Can’t Holly see that if people live longer healthier lives they will eat more beef?
Well, maybe that’s it. She’s just butt ignorant. But I don’t think so. It’s worse: what has happened is that she has been propagandized by liars who travel the agricultural circuit, claiming any regulation of the food industry is tantamount to the death of agriculture. I’ll bet as editor of the Journal Holly has been to hundreds of such presentation of the type of crap Trent Loos puts out. I’m also willing to bet that Holly writes such editorials because of the atmosphere around the Journal. She toes the ideological mark to keep her job.
The phenomena guiding Holly is called homophily, that is, never listening to any source but those that agree with one’s beliefs and prejudices. I also think that Americans are particularly susceptible to homophily because many are “bible believing” Christians. That is their view of the world is black and white. Satan is pure evil, and Jesus is pure good, and nothing exists in between. For such people, there can be no grey. Every thing is either right or wrong, or as our Presidunce put it, “you are either with us or against us.” Thus no bald-faced lie, such as banning trans fats in restaurants will mean no more French fries, is too much of a whopper to tell when Satan so obviously wants to regulate the food industry.
Well, I have an offer for you, Holly. I’ll compile a list of U.S. fast food chains which cook French fries in trans fats if you promise to take your children to eat there.
Holly’s editorial
http://www.hpj.com/wsdocs/fromtheeditor.cfm
Once upon a time KNSS radio had a mix of talk shows on during the day. That would give a listener a variety of viewpoints. No more. Hannity, Limbaugh, O’Reilly, Boortz, etc. All right-wing-all-the-time. Talk about inbred!
DoorKing – the funny thing about her tirade is that it has NOTHING to do with agriculture. Trans fats are not produced by farmers and ranchers. They are produced by chemical factories.
Ben:
The question to ask, of course, is why the change. And I’ll bet I can answer: Ratings. Stations put on shows that people listen to, and get rid of shows they don’t listen to. Like them or not, the reality is that right-leaning talk simply wins in the arena that matters – the marketplace.
Want liberal talk? Get people to listen. That’s why AirAmerica has been such a failure.
Ben: are you aware that stations are paid to run those shows. I think the answer is that they get more to run Rush than they do Dr. Dean. I wish someone would get to the bottom of all this.
GMC – I remember when Jeff Vaughn was purging the daytime of anything to the left of Atilla the Hun watching the ratings as they came out in the Wichita Business Journal. Each period they sank further. I would fax them to Vaughn. His local show at 4 PM was a Rush ‘wanna-be’ dael.
You are correct about AirAmerica – if I am correct it was not even available here. However, I wouldn’t have listened anyway – I would be more interested in variety, not inbred sameness.
As Rush says, he will not only tell you what you need to know but also what to think. I will decide what to think for myself – I don’t need Rush or Franken or anyone else for that.
The problem with Air America was not just ‘inbred sameness’. It was just as much gratuitous ranting and ALMOST as vapid as the right-wing version.
It was excruiatingly boring.
Wut duz dis have to do wit bein skeerd uv dem homersexshuls?
Tara, I’m bringing up the rear on your question, behind as always these days.
I can’t say that my core beliefs have changed or my core politics, but I have learned a lot from the other bloggers here. Good and bad learning, of course. ;)
Having lived in the county for many years, I wasn’t as “up” on city politics as many here are. I’m catching up though, and I appreciate hearing both sides. Simply reading the paper or watching the news just doesn’t tell it all. Conversation with others gives new views, ideas, and information. So thank you, everyone!
I’ll second that RD. I learn lots about local and state politics that I didn’t know. I learn about lots of things here I didn’t know before.
To answer Tara, I’ve been known to change my views due to what I read here. Ed’s posts are a good example. World events recently confirmed alot of what Ed has been posting for a long time.
The kumbya spirit on this thread I do not embrace. I can tolerate Republicans for the length of a meet up. I’ve been forced to work with some of them. But outside of that I do not associate with Republicans voluntarily. I had an aunt who can confirm that. She and her husband are the only Republicans left in the family. My aunt even shook hands with the idiot bush! My mom still has her sister but I don’t have an aunt Loretta any longer. As far as I am concerned she does not exist.
I see most Republicans as just folks determined to stubbornly vote against their own best interest. I can forgive their stupidity but I can’t associate with it. Blog example….oh say Joe Williams. What I would call “real” republicans these days are just plain evil folks. I’ve no use for them at all. Paul Rosell would be a good example of the company here.
Really JR. I have noted that many conservatives here profess to having close friends who are flaming libs. One of my best friends is.
The reason this is important is that through that type of relationship, you wil realize how normal, intelligent folks can differ on political issues. I think it has a lot to do with environment and experience. Of course it is the liberals whose environment and experience have let them down!
You can take this crap much too seriously for your own good.
JR:
I need to get out of here, but after reading your last post, I have just two words.
Grow up.
Perhaps more later. Bye.
Sounds like it should be called Foxophilly, or Bushophilly!
When you are 6′ 8” tall and 390 lbs. and have a face like a bulldog, it is kind of hard to get a decent heated debate face to face with someone with causing intimidation.
wiseman – that is why you do it sitting at a table over a cold beer (or whatever)
opps- sorry that is “without causing intimidation”
I find others who have different views than mine absolutly facinating. It’s so interesting to explore why they feel they way they do and what sort of influences helped to form their opinions. It would be a pretty boring world if we all thought the same way and agreed on everything.
I’ve tried to get Ian to open up about his childhood, but he won’t respond. I’d love to know who or what warped his mind.
I find that most people aren’t pigeoned holed into being Left-or right, but depends on what the issue is. And that extremists on both ends of the spectrum tend to be self rightous assholes. Also whats with the praise for Ed yet demonzing of Ian to be there different sides of the same coin ones exepcet Hilter and the other happens to be Mussulini.
Ben:I tried.Air America refused to talk to us.Right now, I’m negotiating with two big name right wing talk shows who want to be here.
Mary, as close as I can guess, it’s his parents bitterness over the cuban revolution.The fact that they were the ‘haves’, and castro made them ‘have-nots’.The Nazi uncle, and various other twists of fate have only been fuel for the fire of hatred.
JR
I want to thank you; for confiming yourself what I always thought must be the case.
How’s this sound:
The real culture war isn’t between left and right, between liberal and conservative, or between God and the devil. It’s between people who are willing to listen, and people who (think they) already have all the answers.
Interestingly enough, we all act like ‘know-it-alls’ sometimes. This suggests the real culture war isn’t between separate individuals; it’s taking place, all the time, inside our own heads.
Nothing but honesty Heckler. Hey you don’t know the lengths I’ve gone to try and get otherwise good people to see the light and vote Democrat. Realistically, only about 5 percent of the population should be voting for Republicans. That remaining 5 percent I got no interest in knowing. Those folks only depth is in their pockets.
J R – I find that I usually vote for some Republicans in each general election. It all depends on who is running.
I guess I generally like split government.
JR
You’re an all out socialist. You think the governments primary function should be wealth redistribution. I realize this is hard for you to fathom but a lot of people don’t think like you do. Your vision of government is the antithesis of what America was founded to be. Freedom and Liberty have nothing to do with the government taking from one to give to another. They are moral opposites.
Heckler, and on the other side of the coin is a completly unregulated economy, where capitalism’s ultimate conclusion would be just a handful of mega-monopolies.The system of check and balances that gov’t is involved in legislating is what makes this country great.
Vaclev Havel, the architect of the Velvet Revolution against Communism in Czechoslovakia, warned against unfettered corporate capitalism as being just as bad as unfettered government socialism.
SEE??
That’s another reason I don’t like Republicans. They think they know everything and they make wild baseless assumptions.
Heckler I am more in favor of the American dream then you ever thought about being.
Tracy already said part of what I would say next.
I DO feel that a civilized society serves itself by seeing that the basic needs(food, healh care) of its members are met. If that makes me a socialist in your book its no skin off my nose.
Hell Heckler you don’t even believe in a minimum wage! That makes you a wannabe feudalist where I sit.
This country does provide aid for an awful lot of poor people. Even some who could get a job, but choose not to because of one reason or another. (We’re sick of that). We are even feeding kids free or cheap breakfast and lunch in the skools. (How much does a box of cereal and a gallon of milk cost? How much does a loaf of bread and peanut butter and jelly cost? Feed your own kids! (We’re sick of that, too.) You want health care? Get a job and cancel the cable TV, car payment etc. and sign up for health care. Don’t poor people have access to health care? What does the Hunter Clinic do and many others?
It’s a fact that health care is available to those who are poor, it’s the ones between the rich and the poor that tend to get left out. Health care should be a given in this country, available equally to all. If we can afford to spend 2.5 billon a week on war and the rebuilding of Iraq, why can’t we at least give everyone in this country decent health care?
JR TRACY BEN
When have I every said I’m in favor of totally unregulated capitalism?(dig as deep as you want JR, you won’t find it. You just made an ASSumption.)
And yes I’m against any minimum wage. Hell those Mexicans working all the construction around here are making a lot more than our current minimum wage.
Pity poor wounded Heckler. I went by his past postings against a minimum wage and in slavish love of the free market to assert that he was for unregulated capitalism.
Sort of like how he went from my past posts to call me a socialist and “the antithesis of what America was founded to be. Hey you started it. There is more basis for my “ASSumption” then yours by the way.
This would better fit an immigation thread but I doubt many illegals are working for minimum wage! I have only one example, but he was working a 16 hour day for 15 dollars.
Hey Heckler I used to BE a Republican. But that party is not about anything but greed and pandering to the religious right and making people afraid (terrorists, “gun-grabbing” democrats). And NOW we find out the pandering was faux. And the fear thing is only giving us MORE to be afraid of. So the GOP is reduced to nothing but cold corporate greed. Oh and Heckler? I don’t number you among the 5% I mentioned above.