Study: Conservatives more likely to read opposing viewpoints than liberals
posted at 9:21 pm on June 8, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Further proof that we’re more open-minded. Or is it?
People with stronger party affiliation, conservative political views, and greater interest in politics proved more likely to click on articles with opposing views, according to the Ohio State study.
“It appears that people with these characteristics are more confident in their views and so they’re more inclined to at least take a quick look at the counterarguments,” Knobloch-Westerwick noted…
The Brigham Young University survey found that journalists also tended to read liberal blogs – perhaps a reflection of journalists’ political beliefs, although even conservatives said liberal blogs were often better-written, Davis pointed out.
Among the political blog readers, a similar trend emerged in which “liberals read almost exclusively liberal blogs, but conservatives tend to read both,” Davis said.
Davis offered another possible explanation for this trend among blog readers. Conservative views dominate talk radio, and so conservatives may feel more satisfied by that outlet and are willing to check out opposing views on blogs.
I prefer the “liberals are more likely to cocoon” explanation, but feel free to vote it out in the comments. Is this bravery, confidence, or media advantage at work? Given that every outlet except talk radio and Fox News is pushing Hopenchange on us, I’m guessing it’s not the last one. Exit question: Are lefty blogs better written? Be honest, notwithstanding the fact that my ego is on the line.
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Shocka!!!
Upstater85 on June 8, 2009 at 9:22 PM
I never read opposing viewpoints.
crr6 on June 8, 2009 at 9:23 PM
I read a lot of leftie blogs
I need a laugh and they give good material.
William Amos on June 8, 2009 at 9:23 PM
I will read opposing views; however, there are times when it becomes tiresome to wade through the sh*t that some would call “writing” and “arguments.”
Upstater85 on June 8, 2009 at 9:24 PM
With the orientation of our state-run media, checking out the lib viewpoint is unavoidable.
ddrintn on June 8, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Lies Allahpundit, all lies, everybody knows conservatives cant read, are knuckle dragging mouth breathing Neanderthals.
doriangrey on June 8, 2009 at 9:24 PM
^ We conservatives know already what libs are going to say anyway.
ddrintn on June 8, 2009 at 9:25 PM
I was talking to some of my sons very confused friends (Obama voters) this past weekend. They are not so on board anymore. HeH! You know why? They started listening to Rush after all the hub bub about him in the media. LOFL!
kahall on June 8, 2009 at 9:25 PM
You for got the part about Bibles, Guns, and Incest.
Upstater85 on June 8, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Leftwing blogs are better written and have better web design.
Rightwing blogs have more facts, better rationality and reasoning, more maturity and less F-bombs.
Crusty on June 8, 2009 at 9:26 PM
I think conservative blogs have a better sense of humor and actually present “the other side” – something lib blogs DO NOT DO. Conservative blogs also soul search and confront their own internal conflicts. Conservatives are polite and are not gross. Even Ace is milder than most lib blogs. Never gratuitous. I have not come across anyone wishing for horrible limb dismemberment or the like on libs…
djl130 on June 8, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Are lefty blogs better written? Depends on the blog. There are well-written and badly written blogs on both sides. I don’t read badly written blogs.
packsoldier on June 8, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Leftwing blogs have better design, but in comparison to HotAir, the writing is roughly the same. Reading something like Ace of Spades is definitely not the same as reading Huffington Post, but I mean come on, DKos is like reading gibberish sometimes.
John_Locke on June 8, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Wow, what a surprise. It’s the same disease that prevents the narcissist from asking for constructive criticism.
Kataklysmic on June 8, 2009 at 9:27 PM
No way.
ddrintn on June 8, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Conservatives like to debate, not attack, so we read opposing viewpoints to evaluate their arguments and form reasoned counter-arguments. Liberals simply go for the personal attack, so they don’t need any information to debate. If you disagree with them, you are a racist, sexist, homophobe, Nazi, etc., etc., etc.
Rational Thought on June 8, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Cocoon is a winnah!
I like to think of it as the pull the blinds, lock the door, and turn up the stereo so you can’t hear the screams outside.
Limerick on June 8, 2009 at 9:28 PM
DKos is like reading a bunch of college freshmen.
ddrintn on June 8, 2009 at 9:28 PM
I give up. Why won’t my posts show up?
I’m not saying any bad words.. What’s da deal hre man?
44Magnum on June 8, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Even if they were, which they are not, they still would not make any sense to me.
kahall on June 8, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Maybe this would would be a better question if we didn’t care about logic and such.
Upstater85 on June 8, 2009 at 9:29 PM
DUH Of the century…
how can conservatives avoid other points of view?
libs can avoid certain websites, 3 or so mags and fox news but the cons cant turn on their tv, see a movie or open a serial publication without liberal views being expressed so naturally they’re more open to them where libs can more easily live in a safe bubble of agreeably…
there are no rednecks in middle america who are unaware of liberal doctrines but thousands of the reverse in manhatten and los angeles….
Drunk Report on June 8, 2009 at 9:30 PM
“Know your enemy” and stuff.
misslizzi on June 8, 2009 at 9:30 PM
how can you avoid them?
rob verdi on June 8, 2009 at 9:30 PM
I read NYT and WaPo every day. I think this counts as reading opposing views.
Mark1971 on June 8, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Test #2
O.Xy.Con.Tin
44Magnum on June 8, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Honestly, Allah, NO, they are NOT better written.
I admit, I will occasionally scroll through Kos, sometimes FDL (even though Hamsher is INSANE), but almost never Dem Underground or Huffnpuff.
The reason I do that is twofold, and similar to why I watch Jon Stewart every night. One, I want to see what the ‘enemy’ is saying, what is the ‘talking points’ etc. Sometimes, it’s good for a laugh, and sometimes it sends me looking for facts to back up or invalidate my own thoughts. For example, the whole Wasilla Rape Kit deal they threw up over and over, it made me actually go look for the truth.
Sometimes, like when I watch Stewart, one of three things happens: Either I already know better, and get ticked off, laugh along with him, or say “Hmm, you know, maybe really does sound kind of silly.”
Bottom line, though, is that it’s hard to avoid the Lefty felgercarb out there, while you actually have to LOOK for some conservative stuff.
JamesLee on June 8, 2009 at 9:31 PM
MAN!!! Your freakin filters screwed me out of a GREAT joke.
/bummed.
44Magnum on June 8, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Like we have a choice???
katy on June 8, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Certain key words……legal and illegal pills, terms for not so sanitary people, racial and nuclear bombast……I learned long ago neveh-evah say p/r/o/z/a/c or v/i/a/g/r/a
Limerick on June 8, 2009 at 9:32 PM
It is. Without any doubt.
Liberals are just dumb and don’t like the weird feelings they get when they throw their best “ideas” out and they are quickly torn to logical shreds, leaving the liberals sobbing and whining about how they “feel”.
It is plain, old conviction and willingness to listen to reasoned debate. Old style.
No. But they use a neat array fo crayons.
progressoverpeace on June 8, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Exit question: Are lefty blogs better written? Be honest, notwithstanding the fact that my ego is on the line.
I borrowed a shirt from dcwvu that says “Bushitler” on the front and infiltrated DailyKos, this is what I found as a thread headline:
“Late this afternoon all hell broke loose in the New York State Senate chamber after a failed attempted coup by Senate Republicans”
How about “failed coup attempt”, you dolts. Don’t worry Allah, you may be a lizard chaser but you’re writing puts those fools to shame.
Bishop on June 8, 2009 at 9:33 PM
A large mob of mortally offended college freshmen are now going to hunt you down and waterboard you until to apologize for comparing their writing skills to the insane incoherent mutterings of the Alex Jones imbeciles who write for dKos…
doriangrey on June 8, 2009 at 9:33 PM
We have to read liberal materials because we need ammunition to fight their arguments.
Liberals just call us stupid or racist or homophobic or say we hate poor people. They don’t need to read our materials because they already know how they are going to fight.
myrenovations on June 8, 2009 at 9:33 PM
I try to read leftie blogs, but the lack of logic, common sense and decency makes my tummy hurt. Alas, I soothe my woes with cheap wine from a box while relaxing in my single wide…….
Ris4victory on June 8, 2009 at 9:33 PM
It seems to me as though the study, when it says “even conservatives said liberal blogs were often better-written”, is actually referring to conservative journalists… which includes, as we all know, Ross Douthat, David Frum, Kathleen Parker, Chris Buckley, and Andrew Sullivan.
Lehosh on June 8, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Whew…every day?? How do you hold up? LOL
ddrintn on June 8, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Most of this can be explained simply because there are just more liberal blogs than conservative ones.
A conservative is more likely going to need to read opposing viewpoints in order to read the same quantity of material as a liberal.
Also, if the same fraction of all blogs are well-written regardless of ideology, then there will be more well-written liberal ones than well-written conservative ones simply because there are more of them.
DaveO on June 8, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Every conservative should read the opposing publications;
1. It’s the other teams playbook, and all the plays are diagrammed.
2. You can refute lefty points by arguing from their own publications – it makes their heads explode when you cite the NYT or HuffPo to rebut them.
massrighty on June 8, 2009 at 9:35 PM
HotAir employs a Artificial Intelligence program that automatically rejects posts that seem to have been generated by imbeciles.
doriangrey on June 8, 2009 at 9:35 PM
I’d have to say that there are most likely many liberals that can write better than Kathleen Parker… Sorry KP, maybe you should just stick to parenting books.
Upstater85 on June 8, 2009 at 9:36 PM
That’s another thing. Obviously, all of us “know” we are right in our views. One big difference though is that when we conservatives know we are right about an issue, we wish to debate, present points, and convince people we are right. The hard libs, especially the kossaks and their ilk, know they are right and dismiss ANY debate on the issue.
JamesLee on June 8, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Honestly, I don’t read liberal blogs. I get all the liberal I need from the nightly news and Sunday talking heads. Places like HotAir, you come inside, and have to stand up for yourself. In the Libghettos all you are allowed to do is duck.
Limerick on June 8, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Heh, I had to send this to my husband who actually called me a “right-wing radical” last week. He’s always ragging on me about being in my bubble.
Honestly, I used to pop over to kos kids a bit before last November, and frankly the stuff is difficult to get through. I consider myself fairly well read and I had a hard time, 1) understanding the means to the end, and 2) not being bored to tears.
4shoes on June 8, 2009 at 9:37 PM
I read lefty blogs for comedic relief.
Joe Caps on June 8, 2009 at 9:37 PM
……..sı “uǝʇʇıɹʍ 11ǝʍ” ɟo uoıʇıuǝɟǝp ɹnoʎ ʇɐɥʍ uo spuǝdǝp 11ɐ ʇı.
Seven Percent Solution on June 8, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Conservatives read opposing viewpoints, because we read newspapers.
Bruce in NH on June 8, 2009 at 9:38 PM
You haven’t lived until you have slummed it over at DemocraticUndergound. Sometimes I think Lenin blogs from the after-life.
On DU now: Top 10 Conservative Idiots, No. 366
Who wouldn’t want to read intellectual drivel like that?
Or how about this load of shizzle…..Robert Reich: How Pharma and Insurance Intend to Kill the Public Option, And What Obama and the Rest of Us Must Do
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on June 8, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Read your Terms of Service. Paragraph 11, content maturity clase: “Posts must employ proper spelling, and no terms from alternative dictionaries.”
massrighty on June 8, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Fixed.
Remember, O’bama won 70% of the high school dropout vote. No one had even come close until he did it (closest was Algore with 59% in 2000).
Del Dolemonte on June 8, 2009 at 9:39 PM
If you really feel like torturing yourself, you could turn on MS-DNC. I don’t know. I think I’d rather be waterboarded.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on June 8, 2009 at 9:40 PM
I thought reading Allah WAS reading an opposing viewpoint.
/sarc
SouthernGent on June 8, 2009 at 9:41 PM
I love how they spin “conservatives more willing to read opposing viewpoints” with an explanation that makes conservatives sound more closed-minded.
Meanwhile, posting anything positive about a conservative or conservative viewpoint on a liberal blog leads to immediate banhammer. Because they’re so open-minded and tolerant of other views.
Hollowpoint on June 8, 2009 at 9:41 PM
I read them and find them incredibly predictable, and quite frightening at times.
therightwinger on June 8, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Lefties feel they are above the redneck social cons who vote for the party opposite them. Thats why they still use Limbaugh quotes from 20 years ago.
Speedwagon82 on June 8, 2009 at 9:41 PM
BTW, as an OT, keep our troops in mind when you read this:
“According to sources on the Hill, the Lieberman-Graham detainee photo suppression amendment is out of the conference report of the supplemental.”
Bishop on June 8, 2009 at 9:42 PM
7%sol. you just blew my mind!
daesleeper on June 8, 2009 at 9:42 PM
I’m not very typical. I’m a ecologically minded RINO who likes conservative blogs. I’m also a person who thrives on intellectual argument. Sadly, I’m not very tolerant of silly half-arguments that one sees people across the political spectrum make. I suppose I should be more patient.
In terms of wrting, I experience distaste when I read leftist blogs, because I dislike the wishing it so makes it so mentality of the left. I don’t like all right-wing blogs. Some are too angry and strident, like some commenters here at Hotair. I particularly like Hotair among right-wing blogs , because I like the writing–snarky from AP and rational from Ed.
thuja on June 8, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Except when some of the commenters here were openly celebrating the news that Ted Kennedy did, in fact, still have a deadly, horrible cancer growing in his brain and would likely continue to suffer horrible seizures, etc., while he slowly died.
Generally, though, there is–or in the past has been–less of that on the right.
DaveS on June 8, 2009 at 9:42 PM
I sometimes ATTEMPT to read them… I find it hard to get through the whole article… I’d rather watch them cut their wrists then read the suicide that they call an opinion.
Slightly Off Topic: Last night when I was flicking through the channels, I saw some proud, and out Progressive wringing his hands about the Libertarian Schwarzenegger!!! This is the problem with many non-academic leftists. They simply don’t know much of anything about politics, philosophy, or ideology. They regurgitate whatever they hear Arianna tell them. As for the academic leftists, well, they are too busy discussing the ethics of inter-speciesism…
Upstater85 on June 8, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Duh. Why wouldn’t we? With the media how it is, the only way for us to escape liberal veiwpoints would be to drop dead.
Emily M. on June 8, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Yeah, Skinner and Pitt are laff riots. They still think Rove will be indicted any working day now.
But if you have a weak stomach, and want to have someone else wade into the DU manure pile instead, PJ Gladnick’s been running a great blog about them for years:
http://dummiefunnies.blogspot.com/
Del Dolemonte on June 8, 2009 at 9:44 PM
why did I click on the link to du…Zanzibar!
My eyes! The goggles! They do not work!
daesleeper on June 8, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Well, I thought you were writing better last year, let down a bit after the primaries, and have started picking it up somewhat later in the winter. But I just attribute that to a heavy workload.
Up until the general election last year you seemed to have a certain humor and wit that was, in my mind, frolicsome, that still seems to be missing.
Still, there’s no better blog on the web than HotAir.
jaime on June 8, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Not from my experience. The arguments are usually long on emotion, short on logic. Kind of like liberals themselves.
coyoterex on June 8, 2009 at 9:45 PM
I actually pay for a subscription to the opposing view. But I read it before I eat.
Connie on June 8, 2009 at 9:48 PM
I’d argue it’s a mixture of things. We’ve long established that the majority of journalists are liberals, hence, statistically speaking the better writers should be liberals, or else more great writers will be liberals.
Also take into account that many of us went to college, where it was rare enough to encounter conservative opinion, and then it’s easy to understand why we have less trouble reading contrary opinions.
If liberals were forced to hear about conservatism all the time from the media, Hollywood, television programs, musicians, and throughout their education, I’m sure they’d have an easier time reading opposing opinions as well.
Esthier on June 8, 2009 at 9:50 PM
When a terrorist attacked in Afghanistan, killing people in a crowd that was near (then Vice-President) Cheney, all of the liberal blogs, as well as Air America (or what’s left of it) devoted the entire day to the theme of “too bad they missed.” On the radio side, caller after caller, (egged on by various hosts) wished him dead.
Same, when the VP was involved in the hunting mishap – hateful people wishing he’d been hit by a ricochet, etc..
And, lets not forget, an entire movie celebrating/fantasizing about former President Bush’s assasination.
Sure, there’s no hate on the left. We believe you.
massrighty on June 8, 2009 at 9:50 PM
I hit anywhere from 5-20 blogs a day,both left and right leaning. I am definitely no expert on writing abilities but my 2 cents for whatever ego boost its worth is that HotAir is by far one of the best written and organized blogs in cyberspace. I enjoy reading the comments too. The commenters here are well-informed,concise in their arguments and counter-arguments,and polite. HotAir is a welcome oasis in the desert of politiblogs.
canditaylor68 on June 8, 2009 at 9:51 PM
If by better written they mean more threats, death wishes, and expletives, well, then, yes.
And let’s not forget Antisemitism and pro-jihad candor.
William Teach on June 8, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Only when it comes to Sarah Palin.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on June 8, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Rainier Wolfcastle, is that you?
Patrick S on June 8, 2009 at 9:54 PM
;D well said. Not to go all lefty on y’all but there is a sense of community here. Even the trolls get three hots and a cot.
Limerick on June 8, 2009 at 9:55 PM
I agree with William Teach.
That is exactly what I wanted to say but he beat me to it.
Jayrae on June 8, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Well, duh! Liberals barely know how to f*cking read, only kiss a**.
Drum on June 8, 2009 at 9:56 PM
And, boy, was it hard learning to bite down on the tongue that hard… Do you think this type of experience may also lend itself to say a conservative’s humor or writing style? I’ve found many conservatives tend to be very cynical and sarcastic – not in a Stewart sort of way, either. Many on the left are plagued by PCism which may hinder some of their communication abilities…
Eh, I’m not so sure about this. There are two types of American Liberals. Those that tried their best to think things through (even lacking some reasoning), and those that accepted liberalism simply because it was easier. I think the later is the dominant group. I think that they would cave to any indoctrination from any political spectrum.
Upstater85 on June 8, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Speaking of reading opposing viewpoints, breaking news
Del Dolemonte on June 8, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Shocker: Conservatives aren’t as big of jerks as liberals are
blatantblue on June 8, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Heh heh heh… ;p
doriangrey on June 8, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Does this make AP a community organizer?
If so, this is proof that Barry was a special CO. Not all COs can actually get elected President (no offense, AP).
Upstater85 on June 8, 2009 at 9:58 PM
By better written, do they perhaps mean that the bloggers use all of that lefty pap, akin to an Obama speech?
Flowery words to decribe the downtrodden and their plight and the glowing terms for the proper government programs meant to better all of humanity?
You know, the kinds of words high school girls use in their poetry and essays?
Then yes, lefty blogs are better written.
myrenovations on June 8, 2009 at 9:59 PM
I read opposing views all the time. 8/10 on this site are opposing views, but y’all stay seein me here :)
ernesto on June 8, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Maybe so. Without dominating all media and education, it’s entirely likely liberals would shrink out a bit, but I do believe that many would then examine their beliefs and find reasons to support them.
Considering the world we live in, it’s hard to say.
Esthier on June 8, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I still look in on Little Green Footballs occasionally. These days, that IS an opposing viewpoint.
TheQuestion on June 8, 2009 at 10:01 PM
I think this might be true. But the reason is that your typical Conservative needs to read a piece all the way through, usually 2 or 3 times, while also mouthing the words, to finally understand it.
greggish on June 8, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Collectivists naturally like to be part of a collective and like to keep each other in line with the collective. It is the only way for a collective to function. Individualists have no such concern. American liberalism is similar to religion in that it seeks to punish apostasy. I live in New York and see all the time the social signals that New Yorkers have internalized this. Stuff like, “Did you read that in The Times?” for news they don’t like (as if they need to know that before they can process the pending “fact”) or “I read David Brooks this morning, and I’m sorry but he said something quite interesting…” That “I’m sorry” is telling — fear that one’s peers might get the impression you are wandering off the reservation. It’s a weird tic peculiar to their political orientation in my experience.
shazbat on June 8, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Well, to some degree there is already a large portion of liberals that find reasons to support their cause du jour; however, many of these reasons are simply based on emotion. It would seem that American Liberalism has morphed into something that is 80% emotional/reactionary. That said, there are some strains of conservatism doing the same…
Upstater85 on June 8, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Oh man, another knock on the reading comprehension of conservatives
Original!
blatantblue on June 8, 2009 at 10:03 PM
cutesy invective! We bow to your Evelyn Woods speedreading and mouth-closedness prowess!
daesleeper on June 8, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Hey, he might be onto something. When I read some lefty blogs, if I’m patient, I often have to do this… but I never fully comprehend the intended argument…
Upstater85 on June 8, 2009 at 10:05 PM
I owe bb a coke :/
daesleeper on June 8, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Know thy enemy.
TheBigOldDog on June 8, 2009 at 10:07 PM
crack is fine!
That’s a good point
blatantblue on June 8, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Just a fun little tool to drive the left crazy………
…….. by all means, help yourself.
Seven Percent Solution on June 8, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Im going to go with a Reagan quote on this one.
“It’s not that liberals are ignorant; it’s just that they know so much that isn’t so.”
Dreadnought223 on June 8, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Just take a look at Atrios and Daily Kos and come back to me.
madne0 on June 8, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Sh!t, come to think of it, all we get is “opposing viewpoints” even on so called “conservative” blogs. Heck, we couldn’t avoid it even if we tried.
TheBigOldDog on June 8, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Yes, but fortunately less of us prefer empathy over law and at least most conservatives who base their beliefs on emotion don’t seem to be proud of it.
Esthier on June 8, 2009 at 10:12 PM
greggish just provided enough of a demonstration as to why it’s such a chore to read the lefty sites. Long on invective, short on substance.
We can debate you on the issues any day, greggish. Thus the lefty invective: use facts on them, and they’re at the end of their rope.
ddrintn on June 8, 2009 at 10:13 PM
I never even bother with lefty sites.
I’ve had the wonderful luxury of witnessing leftist bomb-doggery in lecture
(bomb doggery is made up, but it sounds good)
blatantblue on June 8, 2009 at 10:14 PM
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