Read on Twitter
I see this take a lot. There's some truth there.
But it ignores the reality that social media now rewards extreme takes which, over time, means those beliefs become mainstream/normalized.
And this makes moderate positions unpopular (though they are oftent the most virtuous). https://twitter.com/katelynbeaty/status/1301534606060122112
But it ignores the reality that social media now rewards extreme takes which, over time, means those beliefs become mainstream/normalized.
And this makes moderate positions unpopular (though they are oftent the most virtuous). https://twitter.com/katelynbeaty/status/1301534606060122112
Example...
EXTREME RIGHT TAKE: "All police are heroes and should be respected. Comply with their orders and you'll be fine.
EXTREME LEFT TAKE: "All police are violent, discriminatory hotheads. Police departments should be defunded and dismantled."
EXTREME RIGHT TAKE: "All police are heroes and should be respected. Comply with their orders and you'll be fine.
EXTREME LEFT TAKE: "All police are violent, discriminatory hotheads. Police departments should be defunded and dismantled."
When I say that these extreme takes get "rewarded" by social media, this is what I mean...
When someone posts a belief like this, it generates controversy/conversation in the form of likes and comments...lots of them.
When someone posts a belief like this, it generates controversy/conversation in the form of likes and comments...lots of them.
Those of us who do storytelling/marketing for a living know that comments/likes are the currency of the social media algorithms.
When Twitter/FB/IG sees a post getting this kind of engagement, it serves it up to more eyeballs.
When Twitter/FB/IG sees a post getting this kind of engagement, it serves it up to more eyeballs.
More eyeballs = more followers = more influence (which, in some cases) = more $$$.
Compare those extreme takes to the centrist take...
"Most police are good ppl—public servants who fill a crucial function in a civilized society. However, we can't ignore that many of them abuse their power in the form of unwarranted violence towards POC. We need major reform."
"Most police are good ppl—public servants who fill a crucial function in a civilized society. However, we can't ignore that many of them abuse their power in the form of unwarranted violence towards POC. We need major reform."
This take will always be unpopular with the extremists on both sides.
It's viewed as mealy-mouthed, pandering, avoiding a clear position, or "both-sides-ism."
And yet...
It's viewed as mealy-mouthed, pandering, avoiding a clear position, or "both-sides-ism."
And yet...
It is absolutely true.
In a system that rewards extremism, the truth is increasingly found in the middle.
And I'm quick to admit that the truth is NOT ALWAYS found in the middle.
I'd even say that it's OFTEN found NOT in the middle.
Sometimes those extreme takes are the correct approach.
I'd even say that it's OFTEN found NOT in the middle.
Sometimes those extreme takes are the correct approach.
But as social media—driven by pundits, demagogues, extremists, and click-obsessed "news" organizations—continues to bastardize our political dialogue, the truth will continue to get lost in the noise...
And us lonely fools exploring the non-binary positions on these sensitive issues will continue to be accused of being shallow, non-committal, and pander-y.
