I don't know if this is a thing in the anglosphere but in Germany there is a saying that goes like: if it doesn't changes how you think, it can be hardly called education. Getting educated means you have to let the things you encounter change your view of the world – that doesn't mean you have to change with the wind, but if you are not an idiot you will realize the points where you just wanted something to be true vs. what might actually be the case.

In that sense, the bloke really did get an education. And of course: collegues, professors and the whole environment plays a huge role in education. I'd argue that collegues can be even more important than professors.

I wonder what percentage of the United States, due to time commitments related to family and work, get to spend time/immersion in groups other than their facebook/instagram tribe and television/radio broadcasters.

My hunch is that it’s pretty low.

If you are part of an enormous tribe comprising virtually half the country, made up of people who think like you and more or less share your views, why would you hang out with the other tribe?

I don’t think either of these tribes comprise “virtually half the country” or even an approximation thereof.

You are right. Fair point. I jumped and made the association there - but it's the group environment.