Thomas Welch
@TWelchCourant
Recently, I’ve been looking into political culture on the internet, and what I’ve found so far is pretty surprising. The mixture of politics and social media has created a troubling pattern, so I decided to take a look into it.
For the record, I identify as a right-leaning libertarian. I’d heard the term “confirmation bias” before, and knew generally what it was, but didn’t think much of it. But once I started to learn more about it, I thought about my own accounts and what bias might be there. So I determined I’d check my Twitter, to see if I’m part of the problem, or possibly part of the solution.
One pundit I follow is Steven Crowder. On the surface his tweets seem inflammatory. A tweet promoting his YouTube video about a John Oliver episode says, “John Oliver won’t tie Venezuela’s crapstrom with socialism. Time for an education.” But I dug deeper and found much was simply to attract attention to his stories attached to the posts. One thing in almost every story he promotes on Twitter is the graphs, data, and statistics provided to develop his ideas.
To check my own bias, I looked at a couple of LA Mag’s “The 25 Must-Follow Twitter Accounts for The Anti-Trump Resistance.” I found the account of Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democratic Congresswoman. One of her tweets, regarding Trump’s view on immigration, says, “There is no other word for this than disgusting. Is this really what we have come to?” Language like this from the left is just as dismissive as objectionable language on the right.
So what does this pattern in world-wide political discussion have to do with us? All we ever hear is the rhetoric of division, this invisible line dividing the two sides and preventing political conversation. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be changed. Change starts with us. With young, influential people having constructive conversation and expressing themselves without inflammatory responses.
When you speak, say what you feel. If you stay true in discussion, so will they, and everyone comes out of it for the better. Don’t present your “correct answer,” but give your opinion. Say what you think without telling someone they’re wrong.
When you listen, take everything assuming the best intentions. Someone telling you what they think isn’t an attack on you. Be open to what they have to say, and actively listen.
If we start having constructive conversation, social media will become a place for people to exchange ideas, and grow in their political views and identities.
