<h1>How Media Shapes Reality</h1> James Shanahan, a leading expert on cultivation theory, joins David Beckemeyer to explore how television, news, and social media influence public perception, fear, and political polarization. They discuss the Mean World Syndrome, the rise of outrage media, and how algorithms amplify division. Tune in to learn how media effects shape our world—and what we can do about it. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2063499/open_sms">Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, David</a><a rel="payment" href="https://outrageoverload.net/contribute/">Support the show</a>Show Notes: <a href='https://outrageoverload.net/'>https://outrageoverload.net/ </a> Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter <a href='https://twitter.com/mrblog'>@mrblog</a> or email <a href='mailto:outrageoverload@gmail.com'>outrageoverload@gmail.com</a>. Follow the show on Twitter <a href='https://twitter.com/OutrageOverload'>@OutrageOverload</a> or Instagram <a href='https://instagram.com/OutrageOverload'>@OutrageOverload</a>. We are also on Facebook <a href='https://www.facebook.com/OutrageOverload'>/OutrageOverload</a>. HOTLINE: 925-552-7885 Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the O2 hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode If you would like to help the show, you can <a href='https://outrageoverload.net/contribute/'>contribute here</a>. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it. Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: <a href='https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload'>https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload</a> Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C. Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

How Media Shapes Reality James Shanahan, a leading expert on cultivation theory, joins David Beckemeyer to explore how television, news, and social media influence public perception, fear, and political polarization. They discuss the Mean World Syndrome, the rise of outrage media, and how algorithms amplify division. Tune in to learn how media effects shape our world—and what we can do about it. Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, David Support the show Show Notes: https://outrageoverload.net/ Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog or email outrageoverload@gmail.com. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload. HOTLINE: 925-552-7885 Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the O2 hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it. Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C. Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

How Media Shapes Reality James Shanahan, a leading expert on cultivation theory, joins David Beckemeyer to explore how television, news, and social media influence public perception, fear, and political polarization. They discuss the Mean World Syndrome, the rise of outrage media, and how algorithms amplify division. Tune in to learn how media effects shape our world—and what we can do about it. <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2063499/open_sms" rel="noopener noreferrer">Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, David</a><a href="https://outrageoverload.net/contribute/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Support the show</a>Show Notes: <a href="https://outrageoverload.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://outrageoverload.net/ </a> Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/mrblog" rel="noopener noreferrer">@mrblog</a> or email <a href="mailto:outrageoverload@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">outrageoverload@gmail.com</a>. Follow the show on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/OutrageOverload" rel="noopener noreferrer">@OutrageOverload</a> or Instagram <a href="https://instagram.com/OutrageOverload" rel="noopener noreferrer">@OutrageOverload</a>. We are also on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OutrageOverload" rel="noopener noreferrer">/OutrageOverload</a>. HOTLINE: 925-552-7885 Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the O2 hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode If you would like to help the show, you can <a href="https://outrageoverload.net/contribute/" rel="noopener noreferrer">contribute here</a>. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it. Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: <a href="https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload</a> Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C. Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

59. Outrage, Fear, and Perception: Understanding Cultivation Theory - James Shanahan

If you're angry, frustrated, or scared about the state of politics and media and looking for thoughtful, balanced discussions, this podcast is for you. About 30 minutes every few weeks. It will change your life. Outrage Overload explores the extreme polarization and political bias dominating politics and media today. We dive into the anger and outrage that drive divisions between people, distort the news, and fuel political violence. Each episode features leading scientists, researchers, authors, and community leaders tackling topics like outrage fatigue, toxic polarization, extremism, healthy conflict, disinformation, social media's role in outrage, and the influence of technology and artificial intelligence. Join us to rediscover humanity in your rivals, improve your mental health, and find practical strategies to feel less stressed and more in control in a world fueled by outrage. Outrage Overload helps listeners with critical questions about outrage culture, political polarization, misinformation, and media manipulation—offering science-based insight, expert interviews, and practical tools to stay grounded in a divided world.If you’ve ever asked yourself… • How can I stay politically informed without feeling outraged or exhausted all the time?•&nbsp;Why is political polarization getting worse, and what can we do about it?• What exactly is outrage culture, and how does it manipulate us?•&nbsp;How do I talk about politics without it turning into a fight?• Am I being misled by the media? How can I tell?• What’s the psychological toll of living in an outrage-driven media environment?• How can I build critical thinking skills to make sense of today’s news?• What role does social media play in fueling outrage and misinformation?• Is it possible to care about politics without losing your mind?• What practical tools or insights can help me deal with toxic politics and media? …then this is the politics show you didn’t know you needed. Join host David Beckemeyer—science communicator and founding CTO of EarthLink—as he explores the mechanics of outrage, speaks with experts in psychology, media, and political science, and equips listeners with strategies for navigating today’s high-conflict culture with emotional resilience, critical thinking, and civil discourse.

Society & Culture

News

Science

Social Sciences

Politics

If you're angry, frustrated, or scared about the state of politics and media and looking for thoughtful, balanced discussions, this podcast is for you. About 30 minutes every few weeks. It will change your life. Outrage Overload explores the extreme polarization and political bias dominating politics and media today. We dive into the anger and outrage that drive divisions between people, distort the news, and fuel political violence. Each episode features leading scientists, researchers, authors, and community leaders tackling topics like outrage fatigue, toxic polarization, extremism, healthy conflict, disinformation, social media's role in outrage, and the influence of technology and artificial intelligence. Join us to rediscover humanity in your rivals, improve your mental health, and find practical strategies to feel less stressed and more in control in a world fueled by outrage. Outrage Overload helps listeners with critical questions about outrage culture, political polarization, misinformation, and media manipulation—offering science-based insight, expert interviews, and practical tools to stay grounded in a divided world. If you’ve ever asked yourself… • How can I stay politically informed without feeling outraged or exhausted all the time? • Why is political polarization getting worse, and what can we do about it? • What exactly is outrage culture, and how does it manipulate us? • How do I talk about politics without it turning into a fight? • Am I being misled by the media? How can I tell? • What’s the psychological toll of living in an outrage-driven media environment? • How can I build critical thinking skills to make sense of today’s news? • What role does social media play in fueling outrage and misinformation? • Is it possible to care about politics without losing your mind? • What practical tools or insights can help me deal with toxic politics and media? …then this is the politics show you didn’t know you needed. Join host David Beckemeyer—science communicator and founding CTO of EarthLink—as he explores the mechanics of outrage, speaks with experts in psychology, media, and political science, and equips listeners with strategies for navigating today’s high-conflict culture with emotional resilience, critical thinking, and civil discourse.

Share 59. Outrage, Fear, and Perception: Understanding Cultivation Theory - James Shanahan

Sign up to save your podcasts

59. Outrage, Fear, and Perception: Understanding Cultivation Theory - James Shanahan

59. Outrage, Fear, and Perception: Understanding Cultivation Theory - James Shanahan

More shows like Outrage Overload: Rethinking politics, division, and media

TED Radio Hour

Pivot

Pod Save America

The Daily

You're Wrong About

Strict Scrutiny

Consider This from NPR

The Ezra Klein Show

George Conway Explains It All (To Sarah Longwell)