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To the Point

Why Don't Facts Matter?

To the Point

KCRW

News

4.4583 Ratings

🗓️ 18 April 2017

⏱️ 51 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

"Fake News" may have a long history, but social media and 21st Century politics have brought it front and center. One reason for its appeal and its power is the tendency of so many people to cling to their beliefs — even when confronted with contradictory evidence. Today, another look at the Emotional States of America.

Transcript

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0:00.0

From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

0:07.9

Why don't facts matter?

0:14.0

Hello again, I'm Orminolmi, and this is To the Poet.

0:16.9

In this divided nation, more and more people respond only to new information that reinforces their established opinions.

0:24.1

When they're presented with facts that contradict what they believe, their opinions get stronger, even when the contradictory evidence is irrefutable.

0:32.4

As the country become the emotional states of America, or is there something about the way the human brain is wired?

0:39.0

We'll talk to a neuroscientist, a foreign policy expert, and an obstetrician

0:43.0

who performs abortions in Alabama in the name of science and Christianity.

0:48.5

On today's talking point later, nobody knew tax reform could be so complicated.

0:54.5

First, here's the news.

1:00.4

Check out KCRW's all-news channel News 24,

1:06.2

programming from KCRW, NPR, NPR, the BBC, and more 24 hours a day. Go to KCRW.com slash News 24, or you can listen on KCRW's app.

1:21.3

Support for To The Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International Program Fund.

1:30.2

Hello again, Warren. I'll name back with To the Point. Fake news may have a long history, but social media and 21st century politics have brought it front and center. One reason for its appeal and its power is the tendency of so many people to cling to their beliefs, even when confronted with

1:44.8

contradictory factual evidence. Today, another look at the emotional states of America.

1:51.1

Later on today's talking point, President Trump says the failed attempt to replace Obamacare

1:55.3

taught him how complicated health care can be. Next up, tax reform. First, this news update. British Prime Minister

2:02.8

Theresa May threw down a gauntlet today, calling an early election for June 8th in an effort

2:08.4

to gain strength for negotiations on Brexit. And of course, is Britain leaving the European

2:13.2

Union. Outside number 10, Downing Street may challenge her political opposition.

2:19.2

You have criticized the government's vision for Brexit. You have challenged our objectives.

2:24.3

You have threatened to block the legislation we put before Parliament.

...

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