We, as Americans, cherish the freedom and right to disagree—which we do, often deeply about important issues that need resolution. But polarization undermines that freedom by tightening prejudices rather than opening thought, thus diminishing the chances for finding resolutions and moving forward. So while polarization may feel like a righteous champion of freedom and right, it is in fact just the opposite—a stick jammed in the spokes of the democratic discourse of freedom. Here are some of the common ways it does it:
- SEDUCES with loaded, heated language and childish name-calling that appeals more to emotion that reason.
- BLINKERS by using cherry-picked facts, and ignoring or mocking opposing arguments and evidence rather than actually addressing them.
- TRIVIALIZES by focusing on “straw-man” issues whose value in re-enforcing biases is clearly greater than their substance.
- BULLIES by making you feel like a dupe or a traitor if you even listen to the other side.
- FLATTERS with language and a tone that makes you feel like an insider, who, of course, agrees with them because you “get it” … just like they do.
- FRIGHTENS by portraying the other side as not just wrong, but a dangerous, evil enemy, replete with wicked hidden agendas.
- “CLANS,” that is, plays the “us vs. them” identity politics game of associating the other view with groups or people (implicitly) “inferior” to “us.”
- “TRIBES” by using the knowing winks and nods of sarcasm, coded language, words in quotes (suggesting they’re misleading) and innuendo which you, as a member of the tribe, of course, will understand without explanation or justification.
This week… it’s all about SEX! Charged with emotion, moral posturing, titillation and so much more, it’s the perfect football for #3 on our list of polarization techniques: Trivialization—focusing on straw man issues whose value in enforcing biases is more important than their substance. Not that (alleged) sex abuse is trivial. But clearly using those (alleged) transgressions to paint the left/right as uncaring, immoral, hypocritical, evil, callous and worse is the name of the game, completely trivializing the actual issue of how best to handle accusations of sexual transgression, to say nothing of the serious business of governing. 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 some of the week’s most polarizing articles, from the left and right:
Red Headlines
Liberals Desert Creepy Biden After Sex Allegations Begin to Fly
The Left Erased Morality and Created a Culture of Depravity
How Hateful Are The Democrats? This Hateful
Charles Manson Dead: Leftists Lose an Icon
Honoring Disgusting Anti-Semites Is The New Tradition For Progressives
They’re Democrats, Aren’t They? Lindsey Graham Wants Names Of Lawmakers Accused Of Harassment.
Blue Headlines
Donald Trump Just Basically Endorsed Alleged Pedophile Roy Moore
Today in Conservative Media: The Solution to Sexual Abuse Is More Masculinity
Right Wing Bonus Tracks: All Trump’s Critics Now Have A Problem With God
The McConnell Standard – Expel Any Sitting Member Accused Of Harassment. Start With Franken.
A Trump-Backed Conservative Group Is Trying To Undermine Real Sexual Assault Victims With Fake Ones