[Sean]

Originally Posted by dubman

isnt that the same kind of binary that prevents even the pretense at objective fact?

Sorry...isn't what the same kind of binary...etc?

Originally Posted by dubman

somehow i dont think following a medley of news sources to go after some perfect balance will result in a more stable anything. people are terrible, people like being terrible and finding new ways to be terrible, so it will keep being easy to knock down people who try not to be terrible.

I don't personally think that following a medley of news sources is the answer either. For me, it's about attitudes in general. Referencing a variety of sources of information can certainly help inform you about all sides of a debate, but that's not really what's at the heart of the problem in my opinion. Until people start looking at issues like the economy, health care, climate change, education, international relations, etc as things that need to be solved rather than as arguments to be won, I fear that we'll just keep sinking deeper and deeper into this vicious cycle of animosity and self-serving manipulation.

Originally Posted by dubman

racism will evolve with a different dialogue our kids will think we havent addressed, more virulent parties will think to combine the rhetoric of different atrocities, convinced that they'll use what's worked towards a right solution "this time."
since both of those are happening right now it's either falling down to degradation or realizing that it's the same kind of bullshit that will keep balancing and tumbling with itself as long as we're around.

I agree wholeheartedly that these problems have always existed, but where we've gotten to technologically has magnified them to a point that's brand new. There have always been "Joe the Plumbers" out there, but before the age of 24 hour, instant news coverage, he was never afforded the kind of incredible soap-box he ended up getting. Instead, he may have ended up a local hero/pariah to the people in his neighborhood - but an internationally recognized figure who gets his own television shows, advertising deals, invitations to be a guest on national talk shows, record deals, and consideration to run for public office? Not so much. And beyond individuals, there's the ability to rally masses of people on a scale that was previously unheard of with relative ease. Obama seized effectively on this in a constructive way for the first time in history during his campaign. Rush Limbaugh, MoveOn.org and Glenn Beck seize on it in not so constructive ways as they fire up their base supporters with the most dishonest rhetoric imaginable. As a result, we see things like the "tea party" events all over the country, droves of people happily parroting accusations of, among other things, Nazism against their political opponents, etc. But I guess at least they learn fancy words like "dithering" in the process.

Anyone out there can put whatever information they want on Wikipedia, their own blogs, or on any number of other websites, and if they can find a way to steer enough traffic to them, then they've effectively reached more people than they ever would have otherwise. So the crazies who used to just rock back and forth alone in their basement now rock back and forth in their basement with a potential audience of millions. Strangelet, you're more optimistic about it than I am when you say that "specific problems facing individuals...will essentially force people start searching and reading based on problems, not ideologies". In my mind, it seems like people have more of an outlet for their ideological beliefs than ever before, and will continue to take advantage of it - too often in negative, even destructive ways - as long as people are listening.