How Outrage Addiction Hijacked Our Conversations

Peter Coleman discusses the current state of political polarization in America and offers practical strategies for bridging divides and fostering understanding. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the "exhausted middle majority," the majority of Americans who are tired of the vitriol and division in politics. Coleman explains that the perception gap, where each side believes the other is more extreme than they actually are, contributes to the polarization. He suggests intentionally complicating our understanding of complex issues and seeking out diverse perspectives to combat oversimplification. Coleman also introduces "The Challenge," a four-week program designed to help individuals and communities engage in civil discourse and find common ground.

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Show Notes:
https://outrageoverload.net/

Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog or email [email protected]. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.

HOTLINE: 925-552-7885

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Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C.

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

How social media gives us what captures our attention rather than what we actually want

In this episode we talk to Dr. Steven Rathje, building on research from prior episodes, we look at how out-group animosity drives engagement on social media.

Dr. Steven Rathje discussing research that found that social media creates incentives for out-group animosity, which can be a factor in increasing polarization. It is also harmful for mental health and society.

In this episode, we talk about the increasing problem of transparency of social media platforms and how independent researchers are being shut out. This makes it impossible for researchers to examine the impacts of these platforms on society.

In this episode you will learn about negative affect language, moral language, negativity bias, social identity theory, and much more.

This is a remix of episodes 8 and 9.

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Support the show

Show Notes:
https://outrageoverload.net/

Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog or email [email protected]. 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 OO 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.

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Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C.

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

In this episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, we hear from Matt Levendusky, a professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania, about political polarization and bridge building. Levendusky discusses the challenges of political polarization and the toll it takes on our mental and emotional health. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on our shared values and identities to build bridges and find common ground. Levendusky also addresses the role of media in exacerbating polarization and offers strategies for reducing polarization and engaging in respectful dialogue with people who have different views.

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 [email protected]. 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 OO 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.

In this one-year anniversary episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, we reflect on the past year of diving deep into the outrage machine and searching for ways to lower the temperature. We’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Peter Ditto, our very first guest, as we reexamine the ongoing challenges of political polarization and the erosion of trust in democracy.

One year ago, Professor Ditto warned us about the deepening divide in American politics, the erosion of trust in our institutions, and the potential for even more conflict. Now, he’s back to assess the damage and perhaps offer some much-needed hope.

So, strap in, folks, and get ready for a thought-provoking conversation about the future of our democracy.

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 [email protected]. 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 OO 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.

Late-Night Comedy, Far-Right Talk Shows, and Why You Might Be Wrong

In this episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, host David Beckmeyer interviews Dannagal G. Young, a communication expert who studies how the media influences our political beliefs. They discuss the similarities between late night comedy shows and far right talk shows, the impact of these shows on viewers, and the shared characteristics of their audiences. They also explore the demand side of wrongness and how our need for comprehension, control, and community can influence our beliefs. Young offers insights into how we can be more intentional about our online presence and embrace intellectual humility to combat misinformation.

Key Takeaways:

1. Late night comedy shows and far right talk shows have a similar impact on viewers, influencing their understanding of political events and reinforcing their beliefs.
2. Audiences of both late night comedy shows and far right talk shows are confident in their political beliefs, passionate about politics, and have strong social and cultural ideologies.
3. The demand for misinformation is driven by our need for comprehension, control, and community.
4. Intellectual humility is a key factor in combating misinformation, as it allows us to be open to the possibility that we may be wrong and encourages critical thinking.

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 [email protected]. 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 OO 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 to Overcome Challenges in Challenging the Status Quo

Dr. Lawrence Eppard discusses the challenges of ideological conformity in academia and the impact it has on research and knowledge dissemination. He shares personal experiences of facing backlash and reputational harm for challenging orthodoxies in his field. Dr. Eppard emphasizes the need for intellectual diversity and transparency in academia to ensure the quality and objectivity of research.

Key Takeaways:

1. Intellectual diversity in academia is crucial for the advancement of knowledge and the prevention of bias.
2. Challenging orthodoxies in academia can lead to reputational harm and backlash from colleagues and students.
3. The current system of peer review and publication in academia may contribute to a lack of transparency and bias.
4. Efforts are being made to improve transparency and accountability in academia, such as making data publicly available and pre-registering studies.
5. Intellectual diversity and diverse gatekeepers in academic journals can help ensure a more balanced and rigorous review process.

About The Guest: Dr. Lawrence Eppard is a professor and researcher who specializes in social science. He has recently co-authored a book titled "The Poisoning of the American Mind," which explores the challenges of ideological conformity in academia and the importance of intellectual diversity.

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 [email protected]. 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 OO 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.

Outrage 26 – The Science of Changing Minds

David McRaney discusses the concept of changing minds and the challenges of political polarization.

He emphasizes the importance of understanding why we want to change someone else's mind and explores the motivations behind our own beliefs. McRaney explains that changing minds requires more than just presenting facts and information. It involves engaging in meaningful conversations, exploring different perspectives, and understanding the underlying motivations and biases that shape our beliefs. He also discusses the cascade effect and how it can be used to scale up the process of changing minds.

Key Takeaways:

• Changing minds requires understanding our own motivations and biases.
• Presenting facts and information alone is not enough to change someone's mind.
• Engaging in meaningful conversations and exploring different perspectives is essential for changing minds.
• The cascade effect can be used to scale up the process of changing minds.

About The Guest:
David McRaney is a science journalist, author, podcaster, and lecturer. He is the host of the podcast "You Are Not So Smart" and the author of the book "How Minds Change." McRaney is known for his work in psychology, neuroscience, and social sciences.

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 [email protected]. 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 OO 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 Crowdsourcing Identified Effective Strategies to Reduce Political Polarization

Jan Voelkel discusses the Strengthening Democracy Challenge, a joint project between academics and practitioners aimed at reducing anti-democratic attitudes, support for political violence, and partisan animosity among Americans. The challenge involved testing 25 different interventions to determine their effectiveness in shifting people's attitudes. The results showed that many of the interventions were successful in reducing partisan animosity, with strategies such as highlighting sympathetic exemplars and emphasizing a common identity as Americans proving to be particularly effective. The challenge has received positive feedback from both researchers and practitioners, and there is optimism about the potential for these interventions to have a real-world impact.

Key Takeaways:

• The Strengthening Democracy Challenge tested 25 interventions to reduce anti-democratic attitudes, support for political violence, and partisan animosity.
• Strategies such as highlighting sympathetic exemplars and emphasizing a common identity as Americans were effective in reducing partisan animosity.
• The challenge has received positive feedback and there is optimism about the potential for these interventions to have a real-world impact.

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 [email protected]. 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 OO 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.

The podcast has been running for over six months and has covered a range of topics related to political sectarianism and the outrage industry. The host and creator, David Beckemeyer, discusses with co-director and co-editor, Austin Chen, key episodes, including interviews with experts like Peter Ditto, Jeffrey Berry, and Stephen Rathje. They explore the role of moral superiority in political divide, the influence of social media on outrage, and the incentive structure that drives the outrage industry. The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding different perspectives and engaging in productive conversations. They also encourage listeners to focus on local issues and take care of their own well-being.

About The Guest:

The guest for this episode is Austin Chen, the co-director and co-editor of the podcast. Austin brings a unique perspective to the show and shares his insights on the topics discussed.

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 [email protected]. 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 OO 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 Recognizing Fear and Pain Can Heal Our Divided Society

In this episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, host David Beckemeyer interviews psychotherapist and author Phyllis Levitt. We discuss her new book, “America in Therapy” in which she describes the anger and division in American society, the importance of listening and understanding different perspectives, and the need for mental health education and awareness. Leavitt emphasizes the role of therapy in promoting healthy relationships and explores how these principles can be applied on a larger scale to heal the divides in our country.

Key Takeaways:

1. Psychotherapy is nonpartisan and can provide a bridge between opposing views.
2. Deep listening and inquiry are essential for understanding and connecting with others.
3. Repairing human relationships is harder than waging war, but it is necessary for healing and reconciliation.
4. Mental health education is crucial for promoting empathy, understanding, and healthy relationships.
5. The United States needs to embrace a sense of sovereign unity, balancing individuality with a commitment to the welfare of the whole.

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 [email protected]. 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 OO 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.