Wednesday, January 09, 2008
(12:51 PM) | Adam Kotsko:
Following the Elections
What percentage of press coverage and everyday conversation about the election process is based in actual knowledge, as opposed to empty speculation ("X is more electable!") or vague rhetoric ("Change!" "I'm the true conservative in the race!")?This calculation is more difficult than it might initially appear. For instance, actual poll numbers may seem to constitute knowledge, but the opinions of those polled are themselves formed primarily based on empty speculation and vague rhetoric, as well as their perceptions of trends in previous polls (themselves based on empty speculation, vague rhetoric, and previous polls, ad infinitum). Under such circumstances, arriving at a core of actual knowledge begins to seem almost impossible.
