http://graphics.wsj.com/blue-feed-red-feed/#/president-trump Why is there so much political divide? Because we are forced into echo chambers by electronic algorithms. People who support the ban are seeing news stories praising it and how Trump is great. People who refute the ban are seeing news stories condemning it and showing the protests around the country. My other liberal friends wonder how can anyone harbor these beliefs. I show them the above link.
Nobody is forced into echo chambers. They go in very willingly. We treat politics like its a competition. Nice convenient dividing lines are formed on every issue, transforming every gray issue into black and white. We toss common sense out the door in lieu of pack mentality. When two opposing people talk about the actual fundamentals of the issue ... away from their peers and echo chambers, they will find more in common than not. I find people who are very open in their support for their party are usually the most guilty in channeling their info from their respective echo chambers. If once can't understand why the other side believes what they do, then its likely they do not understand the situation at all.
Azadre, thanks for sharing this. And while I hear what SpaceGhost is saying, the algorithms make a good, comprehensive view an act of fighting vigorously against the electronic current.
From what I've encountered, Facebook has become one of the main reasons for this constant portrayal of the left or right as monolithic criminals who are trying to irrevocably alter the foundations of the United States. It's been telling to see Zuckerberg try to straddle the two sides since this intensely bitterly partisan election. See his statement on the recent immigration ban. But I don't blame Facebook entirely. This is too broad of a subject to tackle in one post but I've found that a deeper understanding of individual issues, and how those issues affect one's friends and neighbors, will naturally moderate a person's views. The only way this country has a chance of coming together at this point is if each one of us can attempt to foster more diverse personal relationships. In real life, people need to be told they are wrong when they are parroting demonstrably falsehoods but they also need to feel they are being respected. It's easier to do if you have something in common. Online it's easy to let your imagination run wild about who is at the other end. If people looked up from their newsfeeds and Twitter more often and looked other people who they disagreed w/ in the eye, we'll be OK. But I'm an optimist so what do I know...
