The Pentagon DADT report: A lesson on the internet echo chamber.

[TheWraith]

For months, on DU and elsewhere, we heard nothing but how the Pentagon study was going to be a rubber stamp for the DADT policy, how it was going to demand that DADT stay in place, how it was completely biased, and how they would just make things up.

Well now, the Pentagon study is out, and it says that there no major obstacles to repealing DADT, and is in general extremely positive, describing opposition to DADT repeal within the military as being primarily based on "misconceptions and stereotypes," (their words) and undercutting the stance of Republicans who want to block it.

Now I don't post this message to say "I told you so," even though I pretty much deserve to. My intention is to make this, as some people like to say, a "teachable moment." Specifically, that you shouldn't seek out opinion and reporting which confirms your preconceived notions. You need to seek out FACTS, then determine if your beliefs and expectations line up with reality. When you're surrounded by other people who hold the same preconceptions you do, it's easy to start believing that it's automatically right. That's not limited to the conservative mindset: DU, Daily Kos, and much of the left-wing blogosphere forms it's own echo chamber, and our side is hardly immune.

Challenge your assumptions. Check your facts. Keep an open mind to the possibility that you could be wrong. Feeling a sense of certainty and outrage may be viscerally satisfying, but if you can't change your opinions based on reality, then you're doing a disservice to yourself and everyone around you.

[VMI Dem]

1. "Feeling a sense of certainty and outrage"

:rofl: