📈More polarization, more conspiracies
Polarization fractures relationships
Toxic polarization has a lot of harmful effects. One less discussed effect is how it fractures relationships — even with those politically similar to us.
We can see evidence of this all around — discord among political peer groups and an increase in angry accusations that people aren’t “real progressives” or “real conservatives.” To solve problems and get things done, we must form coalitions and make compromises. Toxic polarization makes us less able to do these basic things.
News and views:
The View co-host calls Trump voters “cult members” Recently, on The View, a co-host said she thought Trump voters were “cult members.” Many of us don’t understand what drives our political opponents — and this means it’s easy for us to see them as “cult members” or as “brainwashed.” Our use of these demeaning words amplifies their animosity and makes them more defensive. We can all push back on simplistic, derogatory descriptions of our political opponents.
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Taylor Swift conspiracy theories Recently, there’ve been conspiracy theories about Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce — including beliefs that their relationship is a politically motivated “PSYOP” to help Democrats. Toxic polarization makes us more suspicious and pessimistic about the people around us. The “other side” can seem all the same — a monolithic mass — making us feel like “they’re all working together.” We look for connections, plots, and threats where they don’t exist. Conspiracy-minded thinking is present across the political spectrum, and studies show it’s more prevalent among the politically extreme.
Make It A Habit
Help overcome objections to this work
In the movie Glengarry Glen Ross, Alec Baldwin’s character tells his fellow salesmen, “Always. Be. Closing.” (ABC). To persuade people to join this movement, we must Always Be Overcoming Objections (ABOO, which is admittedly not as cool-sounding).
Many Americans see themselves in a high-stakes fight against bad people and dangerous ideas. Understandably, this can make them anxious and angry — emotions that are obstacles to seeing the importance of reducing toxic division. You can help the movement by confronting objections to this work when you see them. We wrote a post with some thoughts and resources to help you do that.