This week…impugning the motives of “the other” (frightening) was especially popular, as was name-calling (seducing). The short-hand “tribing” technique of damning-by-labelling was also in evidence, using such “neutral” labels as conservative…right wing…liberal…leftist…libtards (!) to smugly titillate the “in–the–know” base. And plenty of emotion-charged words like asinine, obliterate, doom, attack, dangerous, corruption, slash and targeting were used to flatter fellow insiders rather than advance the issue, thus widening rather than narrowing the conflict gap.
When reading these examples, check the above list and ask yourself: regardless of whether you agree or disagree, is this really advancing an intelligent resolution through the persuasive, rational arguments of advocacy…or simply fueling the fire of conflict through the divisive, emotional manipulations of polarization?
Here are this week’s most polarizing news articles, from the left and right:
Blue Headlines
Jimmy Carter Decides He Still Has Enough Life Left to Strike One More Blow Against America
Breitbart helps turns Nazi ideas into Republican policy, but it’s not the root of right-wing racism
Conservative Dream Come True: Judge Grants Rapist Joint Custody Of Victim’s Child
Children’s health insurance expired nearly two weeks ago, and the Republican Congress doesn’t care
Right-wing media’s new voter fraud “proof” is even more asinine than usual
Red Headlines
How Leftist Indoctrination Ruins a School System
‘Feminist Economics’ Finally Admits The Goal Is Replacing Families
With Its Latest Decree, the Trump Administration Dooms Women Nationwide
Planned Parenthood Is Targeting Baby Girls in the Womb
Obama Foundation: “House Of Cards” Corruption
Attacks on Christopher Columbus Are Part of Broader, Liberal ‘War’ on Western Civilization
