This is part two of a four part series. Here are links to parts one, three, and four. I wrote about why we’re so divided, and while I don’t think my insights were groundbreaking or even all that interesting, I do think it’s important to highlight the internal pull that keeps us attached to the status quo. There’s something about the status quo that feeds our essential needs for belonging and connection, and the contemporary media landscape offers very low-hanging fruit. The things we do in our echo chambers – posting content for likes, repping “the resistance” with volleys of pithy sarcasm, and even just passively consuming partisan news – connect with the pleasure centers of our brains on a primal, chemical level. Righteous outrage
Shawn, you’re absolutely right. It’s us, and it’s a demand-side problem. Your insight in Maui is one I continually remind myself of when I’m out and about - I can “hang” with people who might vote differently than I do as much as I always have, and likely they with me. The real world is far less terrifying than the virtual one. I have stopped being extremely online and deleted Twitter and never go on Facebook and only read news and subscribe to emails like yours. I can tell you I am far better at understanding and appreciating the clear divide between virtual and real than I’ve been in the last 7-10 years.
And....actually I love your comment about the real-world political fights that DO happen being almost entirely outgrowths of garbage that started online. Proud Boys, Antifa, MAGA showboating, QAnon and so on....never really thought about it that way before.
Shawn, you’re absolutely right. It’s us, and it’s a demand-side problem. Your insight in Maui is one I continually remind myself of when I’m out and about - I can “hang” with people who might vote differently than I do as much as I always have, and likely they with me. The real world is far less terrifying than the virtual one. I have stopped being extremely online and deleted Twitter and never go on Facebook and only read news and subscribe to emails like yours. I can tell you I am far better at understanding and appreciating the clear divide between virtual and real than I’ve been in the last 7-10 years.
And....actually I love your comment about the real-world political fights that DO happen being almost entirely outgrowths of garbage that started online. Proud Boys, Antifa, MAGA showboating, QAnon and so on....never really thought about it that way before.