Former NYT editor Bill Keller is interviewed in the current edition of Esquire. Speaking of political discussion and debate, he says the following:
It does seem like the country has become much more polarized into camps of people who are absolutely sure, to the point that they are no longer entertaining evidence that contradicts their point of view.
Exactly.
As someone who is passionate about politics, who doesn't shy away from political arguments (even shouting arguments), and finally, who believes in the power of logic, data, evidence, and causal argumentation, the moments of my greatest frustration over the past 15 years have come when I've encountered others who refuse to give even a quarter-inch on a political issue, to make even the tiniest concession, to show even a soupçon of openness to a different point of view.
No one is smart enough to be that certain, and no political worldview has the right answers in every instance.
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