“Interpretation of these findings will depend on whether one views the glass as half full or half empty.  On the positive side, the study shows the vast majority of Americans know someone of a different racial or ethnic background very well, and many also know people of different religious or political viewpoints.  On the negative side, there are plenty of types of people many Americans have really never encountered.  Four out of ten have never known – even casually – someone who has experienced homelessness.  A third have never known an evangelical or a Mormon.  Almost half have never known a Muslim.  One out of five has never known an American Indian.  One out of every four liberals has never known a conservative, and vice versa.  Not knowing a variety of people has implications for how we live our lives and how we think of others.”