Polarizing Messages Get 5x More Media Attention Than Problem-Solving Messages.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Join us by pledging to move away from polarization and toward problem-solving by using your consumer power, your voting power AND your individual power.
I pledge to use my dollars and votes to support problem-solving brands, politicians & policies.
Use your power to problem-solve
NOT polarize
You ARE an influencer.
How you engage with the ‘outrage machine’ makes a difference. Which means that you can make a positive difference today by simply choosing problem-solving over polarization with the media you consume, the brands you buy from, the politicians you vote for and the policies you support.
What Are Common Polarization Tactics & Why Are They Harmful?
Polarizing practices are historically efficient at mobilizing and securing a base of supporters, creating a system where supporters are willing to disengage with problem-solving options in favor of tribalism. The problem is…
Polarization may be great at mobilizing people, but it’s not so good at actually solving problems.
Polarization damages people,
the planet and prosperity...
If we don’t start learning to work together to solve problems, then we can expect those problems to just keep piling up:
Environmental
Impacts
- There are delays to policies & innovations, which are needed to sustain our world for generations to come.
- Impairs our ability to debate on environmental solutions as the conversation is focused on whether or not we have a problem (and folks… we have a problem)
- The focus has shifted to issues indirectly connected to climate change. This approach fails to address the urgency & immediacy of our environmental problems.
- We're more & more stressed out. Since the 2016 election, an increasing amount on Americans now say it's "stressful & frustrating" to talk about politics with people they disagree with.
- We’re less likely to help each other out. Several studies suggest that contact across social classes promotes well-being and kind & helpful behaviors like gratitude & generosity.
- Violence is more likely. In polarized situations, we stop seeing people in competing groups as human beings—and that is very dangerous.
Health
Impacts
Economic
Impacts
- Polarizing content continues to win out over solutions-based content, rewarding extreme behaviors while making normal behaviors seemingly non-existant.
- Cycle of funding going into the ‘outrage machine’ further fuels its continuation (especially with the successes seen in the media & political industries).
- Gridlock is damaging our government institutions. Researchers have noted that the 112th Congress, for instance, passed fewer laws than any Congress stretching back to the 1800s.
Our Approach
We’re not asking people to stop protesting or demanding change. We bring respect, appreciation & openness to the issues and invite people across all divides to work together & be recognized for doing their part.
It’s okay to be angry.
And protesting is a great way to express anger.
But protestors also need to be willing to problem-solve.
Join us by pledging to move away from polarization and toward problem-solving by using your consumer power, your voting power AND your individual power.
I pledge to use my dollars and votes to support problem-solving brands, politicians & policies.
