This week . . . was another fun week for the ubiquitous polarizing technique of trivializing: focusing on “straw-man” issues whose value in re-enforcing biases is clearly greater than their substance. This is admittedly tricky because the “content” of the story can seem – or even be – a legitimate news item. But the larger, residual effect is to implicitly reinforce and substantiate the prejudices of the polarizer: Aha! This just shows how awful those terrible/hypocritical/ evil/deceitful liberlas/conservatives are! It’s good example of how the poison of polarization creeps into our political (sub)-consciousness without us even noticing. Otherwise known as brainwashing.
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 a few of the week’s most (insidiously) polarizing headlines, from the left and right:
Red Headlines
Study blames sandwiches for global warming
Newsweek Editor Endorses Pedophilia, Says It “Leads to Great Art”
Unlike Dem Fat Cats, GOP Congresswoman Refuses Pay During Gov’t Shutdown
‘Build The Wall’ Sign at Stanford University Declared “Hate Speech”
Liberal California Councilman And Teacher Tell Students Military Are “Dumbsh*ts, Lowest Of Our Low.”
Blue Headlines
Diabetes Crisis Threatens to Undermine Health Care—While GOP Destroys It
A white guy allegedly detonated 2 IEDs at a mall and the pro-Trump media shrugged
A man upset about ‘fake news’ threatened a mass shooting at CNN
Republican Senator Caught on Hot Mic Making Creepy Comment About ‘Beautiful’ Teen Pages
