As the election approaches, just three weeks away, emotions are running high, and the nation feels more polarized than ever. In a particularly vexing year marked by social upheaval, economic uncertainty, and intense political division, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant barrage of information—much of it negative, sensationalized, or biased. Social media, news outlets, and political campaigns amplify this heightened emotional state, making it difficult to separate fact from opinion and fear from reality.

Why Are We Drawn to Negativity and Polarization?

In this emotionally charged environment, it’s important to understand why we’re so drawn to negative news and divisive rhetoric. Human-beings have an evolutionary negativity bias that makes us more sensitive to threats and bad news. During election cycles, this bias is exploited by political campaigns, media outlets, and social media platforms, which focus on fear, anger, and outrage to capture attention and drive engagement. This leads to doomscrolling, where we consume an endless stream of negative content that reinforces the idea that everything is falling apart.

Like those explored in The Social Dilemma, social media algorithms are designed to push emotionally charged content to the forefront, prioritizing controversy, conflict, and fear. The more we engage with this type of content, the more it shows up in our feeds, creating echo chambers where we’re only exposed to information that aligns with our pre-existing beliefs. This deepens the divide, creating a confirmation bias cycle where people on all sides of the political spectrum feel validated in their worldviews.

Recognizing Propaganda and Manipulation

As political ads flood our screens, it’s crucial to recognize propaganda for what it is—carefully crafted messages designed to influence public opinion and steer emotional responses. Propaganda thrives during election seasons, utilizing fear-mongering, scapegoating, and oversimplified narratives. Whether it’s coming from political campaigns, media outlets, or online influencers, propaganda seeks to manipulate our emotions and direct our behavior. Here’s how to recognize it:

• Appeals to Fear and Anger: Be skeptical of messages that provoke intense emotional reactions without offering balanced evidence. If a candidate or ad stokes fear without providing actionable solutions, it’s likely designed to manipulate.
• Polarized Language: Look out for messaging that paints issues in black-and-white terms. The real world is nuanced, but propaganda often reduces complex problems into an “us vs. them” narrative, which only heightens division.
• Repetition: Propaganda thrives on repetition. If you’re hearing the same simplified message across multiple platforms, it’s worth questioning whether it’s an orchestrated effort to shape your view.

Recognizing Our Own Biases Amid Heightened Emotions

In this polarized atmosphere, it’s not just external forces that influence us—our own biases play a significant role in how we interpret information. Confirmation bias—the tendency to seek out and believe information that aligns with our existing beliefs—is especially powerful when emotions are high. During elections, when our political identities are tied to our personal values, it’s easy to dismiss information that challenges our views and embrace stories that reinforce them, even if they’re not entirely accurate.

Ingroup bias can also take over, where we view people on “our side” of the political divide more favorably than those on the other. This can lead to a breakdown in communication and further entrench polarization. Recognizing these biases helps us take a step back and engage in more balanced, critical thinking.

Resisting Algorithmic Manipulation and Reclaiming Personal Value

As social media algorithms work to keep us engaged with emotionally charged content, it’s easy to feel like we’re being swept along by forces beyond our control. But it’s possible to resist this manipulation and reclaim our personal value by taking a few mindful steps:

• Curate Your Feed: Social media platforms feed us more of what we engage with, so if you find yourself in an echo chamber of negativity, take action. Follow accounts that offer diverse perspectives, positive content, or educational resources. Unfollow or mute sources that contribute to anxiety, outrage, or division.
• Be Mindful of Your Emotional State: Before engaging with political content, pause and check in with how you’re feeling. If you’re already anxious or angry; you are more likely to be swayed by extreme content. Approach the news or political ads with a clear, calm mind.
• Limit Exposure: The more time you spend online, the more susceptible you are to algorithmic manipulation. Set boundaries for your media consumption, taking regular breaks to disconnect and engage in real-world activities that ground you.
• Diversify Your Information Sources: Avoid relying solely on social media or partisan news outlets for information. Actively seek our various perspectives and fact-based reporting to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the issues.
• Practice Critical Thinking: Question the motivations behind the messages you consume. Ask yourself: Who benefits from this narrative? Is this information based on facts or emotions? Are there missing perspectives? Critical thinking helps you discern facts from propaganda.

Avoiding Polarization and Engaging Constructively

In times of high political tension, it’s tempting to fall into polarized thinking, where people on the other side of the political divide are seen as adversaries. However, this mindset only deepens division. Here’s how to resist polarization and engage more constructively:

• Focus on Issues, Not Identities: Political campaigns often focus on personalities and parties rather than the issues that matter. Try to engage in discussions about specific policies and their impact, rather than getting caught up in party loyalty or candidate worship.
• Listen, Don’t Dismiss: Engage in conversations with people who have different viewpoints. Rather than immediately dismissing their perspective- ask questions, listen actively, and seek to understand where they’re coming from. You don’t have to agree, but you can engage with empathy.
• Find Common Ground: Even in polarized times, there are usually issues where people can find common ground. Focus on shared concerns, such as healthcare, education, or the environment, rather than what divides you.

Conclusion: Choosing Clarity Over Emotion

With the election just weeks away and emotions running high, it’s more important than ever to navigate the media landscape with clarity and intention. By recognizing propaganda, understanding our personal biases, and not allowing algorithms to dictate our value, we can reclaim control over how we engage with the world.

While the polarization in society may feel overwhelming, we can each play a role in bridging divides by staying mindful, critical, and compassionate. In this pivotal moment, taking control of our media consumption and focusing on meaningful, constructive engagement is empowering, and essential for maintaining our integrity and sanity in the face of heightened political emotions.