Feeling overwhelmed by constant outrage? Discover strategies to combat outrage fatigue and its surprising link to misinformation. Tune in for insights on how emotional content grips social media users and the negative effects on mental health and political engagement. Learn how to navigate through feelings of frustration by limiting media exposure and finding empowering ways to engage with your community. Transforming cynicism into hopeful skepticism might just be the key to reclaiming your emotional well-being!
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Quick takeaways
Outrage fatigue, stemming from repeated exposure to distressing news, can lead to emotional exhaustion and decreased social engagement.
Limiting media consumption and focusing on local issues can help individuals combat outrage fatigue and foster a sense of impact.
Deep dives
Understanding Outrage Fatigue
Outrage fatigue refers to the emotional exhaustion experienced from repeatedly encountering perceived moral transgressions, leading to a sense of numbness and apathy. While some levels of outrage can spur action and bring attention to important issues, excessive exposure can result in overwhelming feelings that discourage participation in discussions and initiatives. Research indicates that outrage can inadvertently facilitate the spread of misinformation, particularly on social media platforms, as emotionally charged content tends to attract more engagement. Ultimately, chronic outrage can lead individuals to withdraw from public discourse, diminishing their involvement in necessary social conversations.
Combating Outrage Fatigue
To mitigate outrage fatigue, individuals are encouraged to limit their media consumption, particularly distressing news that fuels negative emotions. Engaging with local issues and politics can foster meaningful connections and provide a greater sense of impact compared to the often disheartening narratives presented at the national level. Taking breaks from constant media alerts and seeking activities that promote mental well-being, like spending time outdoors, can also aid in alleviating feelings of burnout. These strategies empower individuals to regain agency and approach social issues with a renewed perspective, rather than being overwhelmed by a constant barrage of outrage.
It’s almost impossible not to feel outraged these days. But overexposure to information that makes us angry can wear us down. Senior health and medicine editor Tanya Lewis joins host Rachel Feltman to discuss how to combat outrage fatigue. Plus, we discuss a surprising finding about outrage and the spread of misinformation.
E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!
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Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Madison Goldberg and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was hosted by Rachel Feltman with guest Tanya Lewis. Our show is edited by Madison Goldberg with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.