From COVID-19 to climate change, millions of Americans believe things that are simply not true. Political leaders and media organizations capitalize on our social and cultural identities to separate and mobilize us. The increasing polarization between political parties is driven by race, religion, geography, and culture. The concept of intellectual humility in determining truth is explored. The podcast also discusses the rise of political polarization, the impact of social media on mental health, the distribution and ownership of AR 15 rifles, and the evolution of an unpopular product.
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Quick takeaways
Polarization in American politics has led to decreased willingness to compromise and increased negative views of the opposing party, undermining democratic health.
Identity strongly influences political beliefs and attitudes, making it challenging to bridge ideological differences.
Misinformation is more prevalent among individuals with strong political identities, and addressing it requires building a culture of intellectual humility.
Deep dives
The Impact of Polarization on Democracy
Polarization in American politics has seen a rise over the last few decades. Lawmakers in Congress have become more ideologically extreme, especially among Republicans, leading to a decrease in willingness to compromise. Among regular citizens, there has been a trend of affective polarization, where individuals on the left and the right have increasingly negative views of the other party. This polarization has been further exacerbated by social sorting, where socio-demographic characteristics are correlated with political party affiliation. These trends have troubling implications for democratic health, as they can lead to increased outgroup hostility and a decline in civil discourse.
The Role of Identity in Political Beliefs
Identity plays a crucial role in shaping political beliefs and attitudes. Research has shown that individuals' political ideologies are often influenced by their socio-demographic characteristics and their sense of identity. For example, evangelical Christians who align with the Republican Party are more likely to value faith, intuition, and emotion in their decision-making. On the other hand, liberals tend to value evidence and data in their reasoning. This divergence in ways of knowing can contribute to political polarization and affect how individuals perceive and process information. Identity and political beliefs are deeply intertwined, making it challenging to change or bridge ideological differences.
The Challenges of Misinformation and Epistemic Humility
Misinformation and the erosion of epistemic humility have become prominent issues in today's political landscape. The spread of misinformation is more pronounced among certain groups, especially those with strong political identities. Conservative individuals, for example, may be more susceptible to misinformation due to their higher levels of group identity and emotional responses to outgroup threats. Additionally, studies suggest that individuals' political beliefs often stem from fundamental worldviews and values, rather than being shaped by factual information. Building a culture of intellectual humility, which values evidence and fosters a willingness to reconsider opinions in the face of new evidence, can be crucial in addressing misinformation and promoting more productive political conversations.
The Growing Impact of Identity and Media on Politics
Identity and media have played significant roles in shaping contemporary politics. The rise of affective polarization, combined with social sorting and media bias, has intensified the partisan divide. Individuals increasingly identify with political parties based on their socio-demographic characteristics, such as race and religion. Media outlets catering to specific ideologies further amplify these divisions. The myopic focus on party loyalty and negative partisanship has led to a decline in civil discourse, making it more challenging to find common ground and compromise. To strengthen democracy, it is essential to address the impact of identity and media on politics and promote a more inclusive and fact-based public discourse.
The Role of Media in Polarization and Political Ideology
The doubling down of the Republican party in 1994 marked a turning point in the level of compromise and negotiation between parties in Congress. The rise of ideological purity as a means to electoral victory introduced a new kind of politics. This coincided with the emergence of a media system that catered to fragmented identity, leading to media fragmentation and deliberate market segmentation. The success of outlets like Fox News was attributed to their ability to cater to a specific, homogenous audience, allowing advertisers to customize ads that resonated with viewers' political leanings. This trend continued with the rise of social media platforms like Facebook, which incentivized users to leave breadcrumbs about their preferences and interests. The data collected was then used to tailor advertisements and content, reinforcing identity threat and amplifying outrage-inducing content. The profitability of media companies is now heavily tied to selling ads, worsening the situation. While social media companies are often blamed for these outcomes, it is essential to recognize the role politicians play in exploiting these mechanisms and threatening democratic institutions.
The Changing Media Landscape and Challenges for Democracy
The podcast episode delves into concerns surrounding the impact of media on society, particularly in relation to cultural polarization, the phenomenon of cancel culture, and the influence of social media. While some instances of hyper-wokeism or cancel culture may occur in specific contexts, it is important to acknowledge the threats to academic freedom and the integrity of higher education that arise from legislative authority. The discussion also recognizes the need for engaged parenting, especially in monitoring young people's social media use. However, it stresses the importance of not solely blaming social media companies for societal issues and highlights the significance of local, independent journalism in rebuilding democratic institutions. Looking ahead to the 2024 election, there is concern about the nationalization of American politics and the potential erosion of democratic norms. The best-case scenario would involve a Republican presidential candidate who respects democratic institutions and acknowledges the legitimacy of the 2020 election. Lastly, the conversation touches on the issue of gun control, the cultural significance attached to certain firearms, as well as the various perspectives and challenges surrounding this contentious topic.
Why are so many of us wrong about so much? From COVID-19 to climate change to the results of elections, millions of Americans believe things that are simply not true―and act based on these misperceptions. In Wrong: How Media, Politics, and Identity Drive Our Appetite for Misinformation, expert in media and politics Dannagal Goldthwaite Young offers a comprehensive model that illustrates how political leaders and media organizations capitalize on our social and cultural identities to separate, enrage, and―ultimately―mobilize us. Through a process of identity distillation encouraged by public officials, journalists, political and social media, Americans’ political identities―how we think of ourselves as members of our political team―drive our belief in and demand for misinformation. It turns out that if being wrong allows us to comprehend the world, have control over it, or connect with our community, all in ways that serve our political team, then we don’t want to be right.
Over the past 40 years, lawmakers in America’s two major political parties have become more extreme in their positions on ideological issues. Voters from the two parties have become increasingly distinct and hostile to one another along the lines of race, religion, geography, and culture. In the process, these political identities have transformed into a useful but reductive label tied to what we look like, who we worship, where we live, and what we believe. Young offers a road map out of this chaotic morass, including demand-side solutions that reduce the bifurcation of American society and increase our information ecosystem’s accountability to empirical facts. By understanding the dynamics that encourage identity distillation, Wrong explains how to reverse this dangerous trend and strengthen American democracy in the process.
Shermer and Young discuss: how do you know if you are wrong, or that someone else is wrong • the evolution of reason: veridical perception or group identity? • the 3 “Cs” of our needs: comprehension, control, community • open-minded thinking • intellectual humility • political polarization • echo vs. identity chambers • social media • lies • disinformation • Donald Trump • democracy • science and morality • solutions to identity-driven wrongness.
Dannagal Goldthwaite Young is a professor of communication and political science at the University of Delaware. Young is an award-winning scholar and teacher, a TED speaker, an improvisational comedian, and the author of Irony and Outrage: The Polarized Landscape of Rage, Fear, and Laughter in the United States. Her new book is Wrong: How Media, Politics, and Identity Drive Our Appetite for Misinformation.
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