Loose-knit conspiracy theories are not a good substitute for informed citizenship

“To understand something — an essay, an argument, a proof of innocence — requires a certain amount of attention,” Lessig wrote. “But on many issues, the average, or even rational, amount of attention given to understand many of these correlations, and their defamatory implications, is almost always less than the amount of time required. The result is a systemic misunderstanding — at least if the story is reported in a context, or in a manner, that does not neutralize such misunderstanding.”

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