I’ve said many times that American politics are not divided into two bubbles where people hold different sets of opinions about a shared reality. America is divided between those who live in reality, and those who live in a world in which they are bombarded with an endless stream of falsehoods, doctored videos, and fake news. People on both sides of the divide are victims of this relentless effort to trick Americans, because both sides suffer the ramifications when people base their votes on these lies. And sometimes the sickest of the lies can pass through the porous membrane of the reality bubble. A couple weeks ago during dinner, my 12 year old daughter said she wished someone other than Joe Biden was facing Donald Trump. When I asked why, she explained, “Well, Biden is just sort of a pedophile.” The Nile of vile bile released by some sick monster in a campaign war room had oozed, by way of my daughter’s Tik Tok stream, all the way to my dinner table. Thomas Jefferson is famous for the quote: “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” Only, Jefferson never actually said that. He did once write in a letter that “wherever the people are well informed they can be trusted with their own government.” One thing we know for sure: A disinformed population is a problem for everyone other than those doing the disinforming. But because the disinformation campaign has worked beyond its authors’ wildest dreams, and there’s no reason to think it will slow down after the upcoming election. For a look at how it works, check out this CNN piece from Donie O’Sullivan. Trump’s use of false content is often defended as humor. But his supporters aren’t always in on the joke.