373 - Breaking Bad Bubbles

Conversations and debates with people who think differently than you is difficult, especially online where tone and expression are absent. I find it important to have these conversations nonetheless because many of us live in echo-chambers and socialize with mirrors. When people live in bubbles, they can't see clearly what's outside of it, and end up believing what they see and hear is an overwhelming societal majority, when really, it's not - it's just a majority in that particular social bubble. Most people I know who are aware of this simply don't engage with those living in obvious bubbles - the problem with that is people get entrenched in the opinions of their bubble, and once people are entrenched they feel the need to enlarge that bubble, trying to convince everyone outside of it that what they think is Truth. Believing you are in sole possession of Truth is dangerous, and even more so when surrounded by those who believe the same way.

Exactly one year ago, I wrote a piece for Elephant Journal called Were You Ever Really Free? - It goes into the nature of Freedom, triggered by people's interpretation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms during a time of lockdowns. "I don't know about you, but being told that I'm not free by people who don't feel free is condescending" to say the least.

I am in a minority when it comes to trying to break bubbles - I get insults and anger thrown at me, messages and emails trying to convince me of various things, or asking me why I bother engaging.

Questions: 

  • Do you socialize with anyone outside of your ethnic group?
  • Do you socialize with anyone outside of your religion?
  • Do you socialize with anyone outside of your age group?
  • Do you socialize with anyone outside of your culture?
  • Do you socialize with anyone outside of your education status?
  • Do you socialize with anyone outside of your economic class?
  • Do you socialize with anyone who doesn't think like you?

Key word here is: Socialize; not 'family member', not 'know of', not 'acquaintance of', not 'neighbour of'... Each of those things are bubbles, and the more of them answered "no" to, the smaller and more entrenched the bubble is.

I've been 'unfriended' by people lately because I don't think like they do. I've had to block people who think personal attacks are some sort of reasoning. Instead of having a conversation, people get upset and angry, any actual information they might have to share is lost.

It's taken me years to navigate the propaganda bubbles targeting people who are looking for solace in sameness. There are bots and media campaigns adding to the fray.

When I notice my own anger rising in an argument, I know I'm missing something and have to re-evaluate - because anger is a sign of frustration and confusion within the self projecting onto others. If you have to convince others of a position with anger involved, you're actually only trying to convince yourself, which means there is doubt.

My youngest is interested in joining a debate club because they like to argue LOL. I warned that one of the methods used in learning how to debate is receiving 2 sides of an argument and picking the side you agree with most - and then, having to argue for the other side. 

Burst those bubbles!


 


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