Success Stories: Why You Need the Dignity Index in Your Toolbox

Tami Pyfer, Chief of Staff and Project Director for UNITE, returns to discuss the progress of the Dignity Index, a scale that rates speech for dignity or contempt. The goal is to encourage healthy debate and problem-solving by treating others with dignity. The index is being used to score political speech, with the hope of holding us accountable for our language. The focus is on finding higher ground and creative solutions.

Listen in to uncover success stories, equip yourself with actionable strategies you can implement in your own conversations, online interactions, and civic engagement, and understand how you can contribute to building a more civil and productive political landscape.

Show Notes:
https://outrageoverload.net/

Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.

HOTLINE: 925-552-7885

Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the OO hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode

If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it.

Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

Why even those who value democracy might contribute to its decline

Americans across the political spectrum express concerns about the health of democracy. In this episode of the Outrage Overload Podcast, host David Beckmeyer delves into the paradox of democratic erosion with researcher Alia Braley. They discuss the perception that political opponents are ready to subvert democratic norms and how this perception fuels democratic backsliding. The episode explores the potential for reversing negative trends by bridging the perception gap and promoting costly signals of good faith. Discover how understanding political psychology can contribute to lowering the temperature and strengthening democracy.

Show Notes:
https://outrageoverload.net/

Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.

HOTLINE: 925-552-7885

Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the OO hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode

If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it.

Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

How a Fun Game Reduces Political Polarization

Discover how a fun online game called GuesSync! is reducing political polarization and fostering empathy across party lines. In this episode, host David Beckmeyer interviews Ashwin Rajadesingan, the creator of GuesSync!, about the surprising results of the game and its potential to lower the temperature in our politically divided society. Find out how the game corrects misperceptions and encourages civil discourse, and learn about the future of this innovative approach to bridging the political divide. Don't miss this fascinating conversation on Outrage Overload.

Show Notes:
https://outrageoverload.net/

Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.

HOTLINE: 925-552-7885

Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the OO hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode

If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it.

Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

How Real-Life Communities Are Tackling Tough Topics in Education

In this episode, we meet Ken Futernick, the host of the podcast "Courageous Conversations About Our Schools." We discuss the importance of dialogue over debate in addressing the culture wars and divisive issues in education. Ken shares his concerns about claims of indoctrination in schools and the banning of books. He emphasizes the need for healthy conflict and listening to different perspectives to find common ground. The conversation explores the role of trust, relationships, and empathy in fostering understanding and depolarization. Through examples and personal experiences, Ken and David highlight the complexity of issues like book banning, immigration, and abortion, and how drilling down to specific policies can reveal more agreement than initially perceived.

Show Notes:
https://outrageoverload.net/

Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.

HOTLINE: 925-552-7885

Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the OO hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode

If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it.

Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

Is This Podcast Part of the Problem or the Solution?

In this thought-provoking episode, host David Beckemeyer takes a deep dive into the Outrage Overload podcast, offering a self-reflective analysis of our approach to navigating the intricate landscape of American democracy. The episode serves as a meta-analysis, scrutinizing our treatment of topics such as polarization, potential pitfalls of false equivalences, potential limitations of civil dialogue, and threats to democracy arising from a radicalizing right.

The meta-analysis encourages the audience to critically assess the podcast's handling of complex topics and participate in conversations that go beyond simplistic narratives.

Show Notes:
https://outrageoverload.net/

Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.

HOTLINE: 925-552-7885

Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the OO hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode

If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it.

Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

How to be the adult in the room, no matter your age.

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Kevin Smith, a political science professor, about the challenges of political division and the erosion of democratic norms. Dr. Smith emphasizes the importance of gracefully accepting defeat in a democracy and the responsibility of individuals to promote civility and critical thinking. He discusses the role of media consumption, education, and individual agency in combating polarization and rebuilding a healthier democracy. The conversation highlights the need for good dialogue, compromise, and the recognition of shared values in order to navigate the challenges of a polarized climate.

Show Notes:
https://outrageoverload.net/

Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.

HOTLINE: 925-552-7885

Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the OO hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode

If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it.

Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

Selling Fury: How Television Turned Outrage into a Commodity

In this episode, we heard from Professor Robert Thompson about the history of television and its impact on our society. They discuss the evolution of news media, from the golden age of TV to the rise of trash TV and reality shows. They also explore the current state of news commentary and the role it plays in fueling outrage and division. Professor Thompson provides insights into the incentives that drive media companies and the challenges of finding common ground in a fragmented media landscape.

Show Notes:
https://outrageoverload.net/

Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.

HOTLINE: 925-552-7885

Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the OO hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode

If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it.

Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

How distorted memories of the Civil Rights Movement fuel today's divisions

In this bonus episode for MLK Day, host David Beckmeyer interviews Hajar Yazdiha, an assistant professor of sociology and author of "The Struggle for the People's King." They discuss the hidden narratives and complexities of the civil rights movement, the misperceptions surrounding Martin Luther King Jr., and how the memory of the movement has been distorted to fuel outrage and political agendas. They also explore the role of race in American society, the importance of critical and spiritual education, and the need for a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.

Show Notes:
https://outrageoverload.net/

Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.

HOTLINE: 925-552-7885

Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the OO hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode

If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it.

Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

How Outrage Addiction Hijacked Our Conversations

Peter Coleman discusses the current state of political polarization in America and offers practical strategies for bridging divides and fostering understanding. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the "exhausted middle majority," the majority of Americans who are tired of the vitriol and division in politics. Coleman explains that the perception gap, where each side believes the other is more extreme than they actually are, contributes to the polarization. He suggests intentionally complicating our understanding of complex issues and seeking out diverse perspectives to combat oversimplification. Coleman also introduces "The Challenge," a four-week program designed to help individuals and communities engage in civil discourse and find common ground.

Show Notes:
https://outrageoverload.net/

Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.

HOTLINE: 925-552-7885

Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the OO hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode

If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it.

Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

How social media gives us what captures our attention rather than what we actually want

In this episode we talk to Dr. Steven Rathje, building on research from prior episodes, we look at how out-group animosity drives engagement on social media.

Dr. Steven Rathje discussing research that found that social media creates incentives for out-group animosity, which can be a factor in increasing polarization. It is also harmful for mental health and society.

In this episode, we talk about the increasing problem of transparency of social media platforms and how independent researchers are being shut out. This makes it impossible for researchers to examine the impacts of these platforms on society.

In this episode you will learn about negative affect language, moral language, negativity bias, social identity theory, and much more.

This is a remix of episodes 8 and 9.

Show Notes:
https://outrageoverload.net/

Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.

HOTLINE: 925-552-7885

Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the OO hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode

If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it.

Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.