I would agree that's a part of it, but the idea that someone hasn't yet discovered a variable that bears impact on an issue is a far less crucial one than the ability of one's mind to disregard a salient factor as irrelevant.

Without the ability to think critically of an idea that one is endeared to though, none of that matters at all. Meanwhile, the ability to be challenged allows one to accept more variables as relevant than previously.

But you're assuming the variables are omitted due to ignorance. That's usually not the case. The people that profit from false dichotomies are using these constructs (typically) on purpose, to gloss over the ugliness of a situation otherwise, which usually involves some form of political advntage, self-dealing, or personal enrichment.

I was, and I agree that's an issue with the press... but that doesn't mean that this wouldn't still equate to real progress at a personal level.