Breaking Free From the Negativity Trap ✨

The Role of Negativity Bias in Toxic Polarization

Feeling overwhelmed by negativity and political division? You're not alone! Our guest for this latest bonus episode, Travis Monteleone, recently published an article for Starts With Us on how negativity bias fuels polarization.

Travis Monteleone, a private equity investor and depolarization advocate, argues that negativity bias is at the root of toxic polarization in our society by leading us to overemphasize negative information and stereotypes about other people and political issues.

The Marketplace of Negativity

To understand the role of negativity bias in toxic polarization, we must examine the three main marketplaces where it thrives: traditional media, social media, and politics. Monteleone is well versed in supply-side and demand-side dynamics of marketplaces. He suggests we focus on the demand-side where the demand for negative and polarizing content is driven by our own biases. We have a psychological preference for negative news and stimuli, which leads to the production of overly negative and sensationalist content. While it is easy to blame the suppliers of these products, such as media organizations and political campaigns, the underlying cause is our addiction to negativity.

The Power of Storytelling

Want to know how to truly make an impact and bridge the political divide? In this episode, we draw powerful lessons from past movements and discuss how reframing the fight against negativity bias as a crusade can inspire and galvanize people to join the cause.

Tune in to learn all the details and become part of this transformative movement!

---

New This Week in Outrage Episode!

It’s everything the Outrage Overload podcast is not. It’s not edited. It’s not scripted. It’s lightly researched. It’s David and Lisa talking about this week in outrage, what was in the news, in the memes, and maybe finding some backstory with a humorous (at least to us) twist.