Why Extremist Views Dominate (thoughts, conservative, CNN, suspect)

[GWhopper]

As a moderate conservative, I am often disturbed by the extremist views shared by both the right and the left. As such,I found this article pretty interesting. I was wondering what other people would think of it, as well.

Why Extremist Views Dominate | LiveScience

I would also like to here everyone's opinion on extremist views in general. Do you think they hurt, or hinder, our nation's government and the national politacal debate.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

[NewGrad2009]

I assume it's because those with stronger ideological leaning are more proactive in seeing their ideological beliefs carried out than those who are more or less in the middle and may be more indifferent on which direction political policies lean.

[GregW]

Extremists simply make more noise and provide more exciting drama for the
TV news. Complexity is boring and might distract viewers from the advertisements

[GWhopper]

Originally Posted by GregW

Extremists simply make more noise and provide more exciting drama for the
TV news. Complexity is boring and might distract viewers from the advertisements

Sadly, I agree. Some A**hole shouting in a camera makes a better sound bite then someone intelligent trying to articulate their reasoned approached to a decision.

The world's not going to the dogs (which might be a good thing) but going for the short attention-spanned people who derive all their information from bumper stickers and arrogant blow hards on the radio and TV.

If so, Don Hennley(I am sure I spelled that right, NOT!) said it right in the song Sunset Grill: "We get the government we deserve."

Only in America.

[Ferd]

Originally Posted by GWhopper

As a moderate conservative, I am often disturbed by the extremist views shared by both the right and the left. As such,I found this article pretty interesting. I was wondering what other people would think of it, as well.

Why Extremist Views Dominate | LiveScience

I would also like to here everyone's opinion on extremist views in general. Do you think they hurt, or hinder, our nation's government and the national politacal debate.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

I don’t believe that extremist views dominate. I do believe that mainstream views of one side are often painted as extreme when in reality they aren’t.

I would like to see some of the things you think are extreme.

[LauraC]

I think the anonymity of the Internet and call-in radio programs allows you to express your extreme views easier. I doubt if anyone in this forum with a really strong political opinion would stand up at work, at church or during a PTA meeting and say what they say here.

But then again, what's wrong with expressing out of the mainstream ideas if you are not in a position to act upon them? In my opinion, they are only harmful if you try to make the rest of us "do" what you think.;

[calmdude]

Originally Posted by GregW

Extremists simply make more noise and provide more exciting drama for the
TV news. Complexity is boring and might distract viewers from the advertisements

You read my mind

[florida.bob]

They are louder, therefore, more market worthy. The do not reflect the vast majority of Americans on either side. I suspect that the most idiotic of them actually influence people toward the contrary of what ever side the idiot may be on, on any specific issue. Particularly if the listener is waffling on that issue.

[florida.bob]

The majority of Americans get their news from the primary broadcast networks( ABC, NBC, CBS). The more discerning get it from PBS or BBC. The much smaller number of people watch the cable "news" networks for any entirely different reason. These people are primarily seekers of the bizarre. They lean to reality shows and their "news" from networks that don't require them to think. They prefer to be told what to think. CNN is trying to compete in that market that does not want to think, predictably lower in the bizarre seeking market.

[Ferd]

Does anyone have an extremist view they would like to put forward so we can decide if it is dominate?