Fascinating. It does suggest that strategies are needed to de-isolate the far right. But I guess it is what you'd expect, given the nature of conservatism and liberalism. Consider this from Wikipedia:

Conservatism is a term used to describe political philosophies that favour tradition, where tradition refers to various religious, cultural, or nationally defined beliefs and customs....(Some conservatives seek to preserve the status quo or to reform society slowly, while others seek to return to the values of an earlier time, the status quo ante).

I had an unusually conservative preacher friend years ago who insisted he didn't read anything written after 1900. Obviously, that's...

Fascinating. It does suggest that strategies are needed to de-isolate the far right. But I guess it is what you'd expect, given the nature of conservatism and liberalism. Consider this from Wikipedia:

Conservatism is a term used to describe political philosophies that favour tradition, where tradition refers to various religious, cultural, or nationally defined beliefs and customs....(Some conservatives seek to preserve the status quo or to reform society slowly, while others seek to return to the values of an earlier time, the status quo ante).

I had an unusually conservative preacher friend years ago who insisted he didn't read anything written after 1900. Obviously, that's the view taken to extreme, but it isn't surprising that many conservatives would see little value in examining non-conservative thoughts.

By contrast:

Social progressivism,
the belief that traditions do not carry any inherent value and social
practices ought to be continuously adjusted for the greater benefit of
humanity, is a common component of liberal ideology.

Progressive ideology assumes that conservatives are partly right. Conservative ideology suggests that anything liberal is most likely inherently wrong. That's just how the ideologies are constructed. Liberalism is offense; Conservatism is defense.

Normally, I would say that if a study does not confirm what we expect to be the case, then it is bogus. However, I actually think this study may be accurate. Most Liberals, especially those reading blogs, are typically of the younger set. When I was young, Progressive-minded, and politically/socially ignorant I tended to have a healthy interest in all opinions, as I still do to this day. However, now as a Conservative, I have little use for the Progressive/fascist blogs that are typically bent on hate and propaganda, and they just do not appeal to me on an intellectual level. Been there, done that. I still check them out from time to time, but they tend to be the same loony-ness. Left wing b...

Normally, I would say that if a study does not confirm what we expect to be the case, then it is bogus. However, I actually think this study may be accurate. Most Liberals, especially those reading blogs, are typically of the younger set. When I was young, Progressive-minded, and politically/socially ignorant I tended to have a healthy interest in all opinions, as I still do to this day. However, now as a Conservative, I have little use for the Progressive/fascist blogs that are typically bent on hate and propaganda, and they just do not appeal to me on an intellectual level. Been there, done that. I still check them out from time to time, but they tend to be the same loony-ness. Left wing blogs are typically a waste of time and are not necessary in the least for one to be exposed to the full panorama of sensible opinion.

On the other hand, many Liberals, especially the young-uns are still learning. I think this speaks very well for the ability of Conservative blogs to draw readers from the Left side of the spectrum. It tends to suggest also a more welcoming appoach by the Conservative blogs.

This is great news for Conservatives.

A conservative genuinely interested in the liberal point of view doesn't need to go to the trouble of seeking out liberal blogs; we're drenched every day in a torrent of liberal propaganda spewed forth by the main stream media. To find genuine conservative voices, not the largely phony Rush Limbaugh, false flag, neoconservatives (I like much of what he has to say, but he generally supports the genocidal, and therefore "racist," "fascist" and "nazi-like" Third World immigration/invasion/blitzkrieg into the Western World, that is rapidly phasing out Western Man, including its Jewish sub component, and he only reluctantly joined the bandwagon against illegal immigration when he realized that F...

A conservative genuinely interested in the liberal point of view doesn't need to go to the trouble of seeking out liberal blogs; we're drenched every day in a torrent of liberal propaganda spewed forth by the main stream media. To find genuine conservative voices, not the largely phony Rush Limbaugh, false flag, neoconservatives (I like much of what he has to say, but he generally supports the genocidal, and therefore "racist," "fascist" and "nazi-like" Third World immigration/invasion/blitzkrieg into the Western World, that is rapidly phasing out Western Man, including its Jewish sub component, and he only reluctantly joined the bandwagon against illegal immigration when he realized that French-kissing establishment a**es on this issue would cost him much of his audience) you have to go out of your way a bit, and are likely to wind up reading conservative blogs.

I don't think this study says anything definitive on conservative versus liberal open-mindedness.

In my experience liberals are quite open minded and tolerant -- provided you agree with them on their most cherished dogmas such as: 1) it's "immigration" (and not a genocidal invasion/Third World blitzkrieg), 2) "diversification" strengthens us (and is not a racist, crypto-antisemitic euphemism for genocide, for phasing out Jewish and other white folks and replacing them, respectively with Muslims and other Third Worlders), 3) even if the massive Third World invasion of the Western World does phase out Judeo-Christian whites, nothing will be lost because we're all the same; race, religion, ethnicity are all just social constructs. Whites don't really exist, so there's no such thing as "genocide of whites," 4) number 3 notwithstanding, phasing out whites will mean less "rasism" and "oppression," because only whites are "racists," and maximizing the West's Muslim and Third World population in general will greatly improve our culture because Third Worders have great "diversity" value and whites have none.

The stereotype of a cranky old man, set in his ways, getting more conservative by the day, is an enduring one. But new research has debunked the myth that people become more conservative as they age.

By comparing surveys of various age groups taken over a span of more than 30 years, sociologists found that in general, Americans' opinions veer toward the liberal as they grow older.

"All the evidence we have found refutes the idea that as people age their attitudes become more conservative or more rigid," said Nicholas Danigelis, a sociologist at the University of Vermont. "It's just not true. More people are changing in a liberal direction than in a conservative direction."

http:/...

The stereotype of a cranky old man, set in his ways, getting more conservative by the day, is an enduring one. But new research has debunked the myth that people become more conservative as they age.

By comparing surveys of various age groups taken over a span of more than 30 years, sociologists found that in general, Americans' opinions veer toward the liberal as they grow older.

"All the evidence we have found refutes the idea that as people age their attitudes become more conservative or more rigid," said Nicholas Danigelis, a sociologist at the University of Vermont. "It's just not true. More people are changing in a liberal direction than in a conservative direction."

http://www.livescience.com/health/080310-liberal-seniors.html

I would agree with you deb2012 and that is basically my point. Remember, this study is confined to politics and blog readers, as far as I am aware. However, where you make an illogical jump is in your assessment that those on the right have ended their pursuit of knowledge, which by the way is pretty closed-minded.
Politically speaking, there are many gray areas here. In some cases the mere fact of having an opinion is closed-minded (disbelief in anthropogenic global warming or belief in God), while holding another opinion (belief in anthropogenic global warming or belief in the non-existence of God) is considered open-minded.

Maybe this study might imply those on the right are no lo...

I would agree with you deb2012 and that is basically my point. Remember, this study is confined to politics and blog readers, as far as I am aware. However, where you make an illogical jump is in your assessment that those on the right have ended their pursuit of knowledge, which by the way is pretty closed-minded.
Politically speaking, there are many gray areas here. In some cases the mere fact of having an opinion is closed-minded (disbelief in anthropogenic global warming or belief in God), while holding another opinion (belief in anthropogenic global warming or belief in the non-existence of God) is considered open-minded.

Maybe this study might imply those on the right are no longer willing
to change their mind, rather than liberals aren't confident in their
understanding.

Open-mindedness absolutely hinges on one's understanding. How am I wrong here? Are you open-minded about dragons living in the center of the Earth? Is it possible to be open minded about that which you are certain? False certainty is another thing entirely. Are we talking about open-mindedness or delusion? Are we talking about open-mindedness or tolerance for another's opinion?

Show me the evidence that open-mindedness is predominant on the left as a virtue. I can certainly make a case it exists equally within the realm of discourse and political opinion as a matter of practice, regardless of one's certainty.

the Red/Blue study shows there is such a huge spectrum of political preferences that to allow this study to be definitive of anything misses the mark. I did not make the leap that conservatives have ended their pursuit of knowledge, btw.You implied many liberals are less confident and I could see other possibilities, including one that I mentioned-it had nothing to do with what conservatives are doing.

we are on common ground that having an opinion "can" be closed minded, especially if one is unwilling to change one's mind. Maybe perception is reality only for the perceiver. I agree with Charlie===the study makes what is to me a weak connection that open mindedness is predominant in...

the Red/Blue study shows there is such a huge spectrum of political preferences that to allow this study to be definitive of anything misses the mark. I did not make the leap that conservatives have ended their pursuit of knowledge, btw.You implied many liberals are less confident and I could see other possibilities, including one that I mentioned-it had nothing to do with what conservatives are doing.

we are on common ground that having an opinion "can" be closed minded, especially if one is unwilling to change one's mind. Maybe perception is reality only for the perceiver. I agree with Charlie===the study makes what is to me a weak connection that open mindedness is predominant in liberals when it comes to politics and blog readers. Neither the study nor I concluded that is a virtue of only the left. You stated that conservatism tends to come as the result of open mindedness, and that is one possibility. Surely you aren't saying every conservative is open minded, just like I wasn't saying every liberal is.

It does seem, as I mentioned initially, that if the study is correct, it is good for conservatives, as they can recruit more to the flock! thanks for chatting with me!

Surely you aren't saying every conservative is open minded, just like I wasn't saying every liberal is.

Absolutely not. In fact, as far as political issues go, I would agree that Conservatives pretty much have their minds made up on fundamental values. That is why I tend to find truth in this study, judging it solely on face value. I probably wouldn't be a "closed-minded" Conservative if I were not once an open minded Leftist
(sarc.).

That said, the whole study just seems a little self-serving. How is "liberal' defined in this study? In the true meaning of the term I am Liberal.
Does left-wing mean Progressive? Does it mean Socialist? How do these typically hell-bent id...

Surely you aren't saying every conservative is open minded, just like I wasn't saying every liberal is.

Absolutely not. In fact, as far as political issues go, I would agree that Conservatives pretty much have their minds made up on fundamental values. That is why I tend to find truth in this study, judging it solely on face value. I probably wouldn't be a "closed-minded" Conservative if I were not once an open minded Leftist
(sarc.).

That said, the whole study just seems a little self-serving. How is "liberal' defined in this study? In the true meaning of the term I am Liberal.
Does left-wing mean Progressive? Does it mean Socialist? How do these typically hell-bent ideologies rate even remotely open-minded?

Also, have you ever compared the comments on Left-wing blogs to Right-wing blogs? I think a little anecdotal evidence is valid here.

When was the least time you heard of a Left-leaning speaker being shouted down, pied in the face, harassed, assaulted, or maligned simply for giving a speech?