Oddbean

@edc128e6 It’s not so much surprise, as confirmation of what we have observed w/ our own eyes and ears. Those in power works SO HARD to keep facts at bay, and sometimes, you want EVIDENCE beyond your own gut instinct.

@fc573d1d I get that. But for goodness sakes, some of these folks (including one with a very big mouth) have been saying this for awhile now. Frankly, the evidence has been in plain sight for awhile. I’m thinking as I type this that most are just afraid to admit it’s real, because if it is, the problem and any possible solution is far bigger than we want to contemplate

@edc128e6 We all need confirmation bias checks, and beyond the “savvy” of those of us online (a scant percentage of Americans) there are many who are NOT tuned in, who are confused, or fooled by surface impressions. These articles are for them.

@edc128e6 Well, would you prefer these articles not be published, then? The Atlantic has been around since the late 1850’s; somebody is reading it. It also gets circulation beyond its actual subscriber numbers. Educators use it in classrooms, for instance.

@fc573d1d Of course I don’t prefer that. They have their well deserved place and the Atlantic is one of the best. The point I’m making (obviously not clearly) is this: For those who pay attention what’s happening currently is painfully and dangerously obvious. But for those in that smaller circle who recognize the danger for what it is and use moments like this one with Romney as a revelation it belies both the danger and their own potential for influence.

@edc128e6 “For those who pay attention” — there you’ve hit it. There are passages in our lives when we don’t have the luxury of paying attn b/c we are so busy. The young and the old are often the ones who have that luxury or regain it.

@fc573d1d You’re correct. It’s up to those who do have the luxury to make sure things are seen as broadly as is possible for what they are. Otherwise others who pay attention find it far too easy to push past those who aren’t. If there’s a wolf sitting on your porch in the morning, I’d hope my neighbor who saw it would let me know right away and not just talk to me later about the facts that there are wolves in the area. As you can tell, I think we have wolves at the door.

@edc128e6 I agree we have multiple URGENT problems to solve. You are a smart, patient man who communicates beautifully and your powers of persuasion are right up there. It’s up to each of us to try to reach a few of our friends w/ “the wolf is at the door” message. Cheers!