Is it possible that the easy dissemination of disinformation through seemingly credible sources has something to do with America’s lunatic fringe? Could this persuasive packaging of lies generate confusion over what’s real and what’s not and suspicion that things might not be as they appear? Could this lead to public illiteracy on both political and scientific issues? How could it not?
I was driving today in the middle of nowhere North Carolina and I decided to see what radio stations I could pick up in my car (I rarely listen to the radio outside of NPR). What I found were 3 stations in a row about Jesus and then a couple stations that were clearly right wing conspiracy theorists (think death panels, obama's a muslim born outside the US) and then a couple more stations that were essentially a mix between Jesus/Right Wing Conspiracy. I feel very thankful to have been brought up in a household that didn't blindly subscribe to any doctrine religious or political. Those people in the "Middle of Nowhere NC" have no chance.