Is it time to leave our bubbles?
I came on board to social media at an interesting time, just before the 2016 presidential election. Since then, it’s felt like social media has been nothing but nonstop buzz from all sides about what’s best for the country and what’s “wrong” with other people’s viewpoints.
Seeing a post that resonates with me may make me feel good in the moment, but lately, I find myself growing weary of liking and posting similar types of content over and over to no real end. I don’t feel that I’m making a difference by preaching to the choir and hearing the sound of my own voice amplified in the great vastness of the platform. I fear I’m slowing being absorbed by groupthink.
From fear mongering to demonization and confirmation bias, “groupthink” seems to be getting in the way of living our everyday lives in a constructive and meaningful way.
Groupthink occurs when a group of people find common ground around a common interest and consensus is formed without careful consideration or critical evaluation of alternative points of view. This “agreement” helps avoid conflict and dissent within the group.
We see groupthink playing out everyday, all around us — personally, professionally, and socially, from both sides of the aisle and across all political beliefs. In this highly charged political climate, being mindful of how groupthink affects us is more important than ever.
Do you find yourself:
Seeking to have conversations only with people who feel the same as you while avoiding others who have divergent opinions?
Hiding behind social media to lash out at others instead of identifying ways to find common ground?
Following news outlets and online feeds that support only your own point of view?
We are all frightened of losing something and so desperate for answers that make sense, we run the risk of forgetting how to have meaningful, non-confrontational conversations that are objective, centered, and balanced.
Social media provides value in community, a place where people come together to keep in touch and find support for common causes aligned with our values. It also provides a means for swift organization and unification in times of need. But social media also gives us a perfect platform from which to pontificate our well intended (and at times misguided) emotions, and a too eager audience of people who are ready to strike back at every click.
Times of conflict have often shown to be an opportunity for people of divergent points of views to come together and learn from each other. I’ve made it a priority to remain true to my roots as a lifelong learner and to continue seeking out information that may not perfectly align with my beliefs but is worth careful, unbiased, consideration in an effort to find compromise and to learn something new.
Join me on this journey:
Initiate a dialogue with someone that you know has a divergent opinion and listen to understand not to respond. Make it a point to compromise on one thing before it’s over.
If you’re angered by someone’s point of view or simply dislike their differences, ask questions and make an effort to understand where they’re coming from. Exercise empathy and step into their shoes.
For every news topic that you read supporting your stance, read one from the "other" point of view and identify at least one common thread.
Keep a journal and see how much information you’ve gained from others and more importantly how much you have learned from yourself.
In times of heated conflict, try to remember that compromising does not mean giving up on what we hold true. It allows us an opportunity to bend where we can, in order to meet the other half way — the way a sunflower bends towards the sun to find nourishment, but does not break.
Making a difference does not start with external forces it starts with each one of us. Making small incremental changes moves the needle forward.
Try it! You have nothing to lose.