Garbage In, garbage out.
The study that Prof A posted (July 14) is startling, but I guess not all that surprising. My experience is, for the most part, the people who listen to any message are the people already in the choir. I am blessed with both conservative and liberal friends. It is easy to talk with either about topics or reports that support their ensconced beliefs. If I present either group with evidence that the "other side" is making a good point, they attack the evidence without really considering it. I will note that on things that I would consider "facts" (like the 3 Iraq war misperceptions in Prof A's July 14 posting), my conservative friends dispute "facts" more than my liberal ones. But they both "spin" the report with equal vigor. I don't like this about either group.
I have considered this too. How is it possible for such opposing forces in this country when it comes to policy, political parties, etc. If you have friends disputing facts, what do you think? Is a fact a fact? How do we discuss anything if we can't agree on what is factual? Are both sides really arguing facts or are they arguing their position choosing which facts to use to support their opinions?
Your question about "what is a fact?" goes to the heart of the course. How do we" know" something. Certainty comes in degrees. Sometimes we can have a very high degree of certainty, sometimes medium or low. You are right that a serious problem exists when you can find no common ground with another person. If you disagree about everything it seems, can you truly have a conversation. I guess I have never met anyone that I have no common ground with. But, sometimes you have to look very hard.