Good point about “Talk of the Nation.” I didn’t even think about that, but that is a much better comparison to make. That’s a show I haven’t listened to as much as I would like, but the few times I have listened, it seemed to be pretty good and fairly reasonable. I should have pointed out that “Speaking of Faith” is different from that and talk radio in the sense that it is pre-recorded, mostly interview-based, hearing from different voices about their experiences and thoughts/insights about how we are living/can live, etc. But it’s great in the sense I was writing about in that I hope listening to it can encourage broader and much deeper, humane and open thinking.

As for ideological stubbornness, I’m not sure what’s to be done. I imagine early education can play an important role. And, in my experience, higher education – particularly the social sciences – often seeks to encourage certain amounts of both open-mindedness and critical thinking. But the effects probably vary from person to person, because most of us look to different sources, teachers, writers, thinkers, and schools of thought for a sense of understanding and meaning. I am continually dismayed by talk radio and various writings/discussion on the web that seem to magnify the natural human tendency to latch on to one, all-encompassing narrative for the social world. So, perhaps it’s also a matter of consistently recognizing what it is that is shaping our views and being willing to question it, test it, and accept exceptions, etc., while being careful to not let one particular source or kind of source simply become like a kind of bible that is non-negotiable.

perhaps “talk of the nation” on npr is a very small step in the right direction, with its host mediating between the opinions of the public and a guest who specializes in the field of the discussed current event. thanks for the “speaking of faith” tip.

the origins of stubbornness and blinders to possibilities and opinions outside one’s own ideas is a related topic that interests to me. i wonder if a different approach to early education could help with future generations’ ability to be more open-minded.