- They like something you don't
   - They like it because others do
   - It's thus not worth considering more deeply why they like it

Did I map that unfairly?

No, it isn't unfair. It's just not accurate. A more accurate portrait would be:

- People make educated guesses about the internal states-of-mind and emotional states of other people all the time. We do it with friends, lovers, marketplace counter-parties, poker adversaries, etc., and there's nothing inherently wrong about that.

- I have made an educated guess about the internal state-of-mind and emotional states of "Fresh Air" listeners, not about any particular individual but about the ensemble. I could be wrong, of course. That's the nature of guesses, even educated ones.

- Having already considered it with enough depth to satisfy myself, it's not worth it to me to consider it more deeply at this time. Of course, I'm willing to revisit this policy in light of new evidence.

Anecdata: I enjoy it from time to time because I feel Terry Gross does a better job of listening to her guests' answers and asking follow-up questions on what they're expressing.

Most interviewers seem to have a rigid playbook, and effectively treat their guests' responses as scripted theater. Ask the pre-written question, allow the guest to perform for the listener, then move on.

E.g. the patently boring "Tell me about your new movie" > (canned story) > (laugh together) > (next topic)

IMHO, one of Terry's best skills as an interviewer is listening and being actively curious.

I believe they just did