Sometimes I wonder if our perceptions of things are different because we have easier access to information/people or whether things truly are more widespread th

Sometimes I wonder if our perceptions of things are different because we have easier access to information/people or whether things truly are more widespread than before. For example, are there really as many Evangelicals and fundamentalist Christians as it seems, or do they just sound louder because they are broadcasting on more channels? It is often times the case that people/groups with less power or advantage are louder since they are trying to draw more attention and have less to lose in doing so. But for those not well informed, that loudness translates into legitimacy even though it can indicate exactly the opposite. PETA comes to mind as an example.