Why Are We So Polarized About News And Politics Now?

The central topic of our time currently is, what is increasing the gap between political movements and opinions right now? Why is it that unlike ever before, we as a society are increasingly heading toward mass disharmony and maybe even violence? Politics is the number one issue in many people’s minds as there are great changes taking place in the world. Europe has its own political landscape but in terms of outright conflict between the left and right, America is taking it to another level. There are people fighting in the street, namely two groups that can be defined as Antifa and Center-right coalitions. Fundamentally it's a question of values and policies. For the liberals, they want to see open borders, a destruction of nations and a system that is geared to identity politics. What you see on the right or the coalition in America is centrists, center-right conservatives, libertarians and classical liberals, wanting to keep nations and borders, a maintenance of law and order, and trying to drag out emotions from civilized discussion. Let's go into this a little more.

Source Gage Skidmore

Fighting the person, not the idea

Following the election of Trump as president, something curiously strange started to happen. This person who had been a public personality, a figure on television shows where he pointed his finger at people and said “you’re fired” was being accused of being racist, a fraud, an outlaw and sexual abuser. All of these allegations came at once and no one knew what to believe. He had been in the eyes of America as the classic New Yorker, business, and trade mogul that had billions thanks to his real estate deals.

The left, namely the Democratic Party, began to attack him personally and in a very public way. However, the question is why did they not attack the ideas he was standing on, and instead go for him personally? Well, Middle America voted for the Republican candidate because he promised more jobs and lower taxes. This after the premiership of Obama looked enticing and normal everyday people didn’t seem to care about those allegations and just wanted a better life for themselves. One could argue that the Democrats found it easier to paint their enemy as an uneducated monster than to look at their own ideas, see where they went off the rails in public support and try to see what they could try to offer voters.

Image by Josh Hallett

Who to believe?

US political polarization is taking a new form in that, what news outlets are ‘fake news’? There are so many to choose from and somehow many seem to be saying different things, what should the public choose to take seriously and ignore? CNN is the main hard-liberal news source that regularly goes after anything the 45th leader of the US does in office. On the other hand, Fox News seems to praise Trump on anything he does. They both have different viewing numbers and ratings, with CNN falling behind substantially over the last year or so. Fox News has been steady but due to both not really innovating and trying to hack their way into new media, are declining slowly.

Many news broadcasting companies will only have on certain experts in different fields, and both the left and right seem to pick people that corroborate their values. In essence what you have are echo chambers, where people on side totally say something different to the other. There seems to be no way to trust any of the traditional media news outlets.

Photo by Esther Vargas

Alternative media is rising

News anchors have become personalities themselves. Rather than report the narrative, they are trying to run the narrative. Alternative media sources are simply people that have never worked in the media but have knowledge, degrees, and great knowledge of certain subject matters and they produce videos that are viewed only online. On the left, you have YouTube channels like TYT, and on the right, you have channels like Steven Crowder. People watch their videos for a lot longer than news channels. And since all of their consumption is done online, people are able to pause videos and do their own research to see who is telling the truth. One of the greatest things about alternative media is that there are conversations and debates happening in the comment sections. Anyone with an account on YouTube can post and reply to a comment. Therefore you have people from the left and right, actually debating one another, rather than shielding themselves off from each other.

It's a fascinating time to see the changes the media is going through. Politics is getting so interesting. However, more and more people feel polarized and traditional media may not be helping the issue.

Episode #2: Hing Potter

Welcome to this episode of the podcast!

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This episode is proudly supported by Swift Kick, an amazing leadership and team development organization that helps people all over the country learn how to build incredible communities. Check them out, and if you mention Higher Ed Geek, you'll get $500 off the speaking fee.

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Our guest this episode is Hing Potter, student affairs professional and civic engagement advocate!

Listen to the episode below, or subscribe and listen via iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play.

Here's everything we mention in the episode:

• The Chronicle of Higher Education

• The West Wing

• Designated Survivor

• The West Wing Weekly

• Scandal

• NPR One

• Wonder Woman

• #SAGeeks - Geeking Out About Talking Politics

Thanks for listening!

Democracy In Spain Under Threat Following Catalonian Independence Referendum

The Spanish region of Catalonia has had a long and troubled history, characterized by a long struggle for independence. Last week, it seemed as though they might finally get the freedom that they’ve been fighting for all of this time. Following the regional election of 2015, pro-independence parties make up 47.8 percent of the seats, giving them an absolute majority and a mandate to initiate a referendum on Catalan independence.

Image Source

Several attempts were made by the Catalan parliament to agree on terms for a referendum with the Spanish government but they refused to budge. Determined to go ahead with the vote that they had an absolute legal right to, the Catalan government have decided to go ahead with the referendum anyway. The result of that decision has been a week of horrifying images of severe oppression in the region that has raised the question, is democracy in Spain under threat?

In most democratic countries around the world, it is the job of the police force to do everything that they can to protect every citizen’s right to vote. But the scene in Catalonia was drastically different. There have been shocking videos distributed online of police violently removing people from the polling stations as they attempted to vote for their independence. Ballot boxes were removed and the police took measures to disrupt the referendum and disrupt it entirely. Officials of the Catalan government have been arrested and all political rallies have been outlawed completely. Media outlets have been banned from advertising anything to do with the referendum and pro-referendum websites have been closed down. There hasn’t been an attack on free speech like this in Spain in recent history. Organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy have raised concerns that this scathing attack on democracy sets a dangerous precedent in Spain and calls into question the future of their citizens. The right to vote and the right to free expression are two of the central pillars of democracy and once you tear them down, the whole ideology is in danger of crumbling. At the moment, the Spanish government is acting more like a dictatorship than a democratic government.

Since the vote, the Spanish government has seized control of the finances of the Catalan government, essentially crippling them. Catalonia brings in a huge amount of the country’s income and so they’ve lost their biggest bargaining chip. The government is currently threatening to curb social services to increase their stranglehold in the region.

Regardless of that oppression, the people of Catalonia remain strong, although a huge amount of the people that voted in the referendum have chosen to leave the country for fear that the situation will only get worse. The Catalan government was expected to officially declare their independence in a session of parliament scheduled for Monday, but the Spanish government have suspended the Catalan parliament and refused to acknowledge the result of the referendum.

It’s difficult to tell how the situation will play out but this attack on democracy should be a worry for the entire world.

#SAGeeks - Geeking Out About Talking Politics

The SAGeeks series is all about celebrating the geeky and nerdy sides of all of us working in higher education and student affairs. The series is edited by Jenn Osolinski and Lynne Meyer. Check out our resources page for more geeky goodness.

Politics has always fascinated me. The dynamics that define the polity of our global societies have driven me to learn about the cause and effects that continue to shape our world. Additionally, learning to understand how these decisions may impact future cultures, economics, and social outcomes through calculated thought, excite me to think of what may be.

As much as I geek out about politics, it’s important for me to be aware of my personal political views when I engage in discourse on a college campus. In my role as an educator, I want to encourage exercising the collective people’s voice in political discourse and civic engagement. That’s what the First Amendment is all about. Specifically, I view my role as someone who can empower others through objective exploration and potential outcomes. It is not my job to persuade a conversation in a particular direction. Like the saying goes, “we don’t have to agree with another person, but we should learn to respect the (diverse) opinions of others.” This is that moment to learn.

I truly believe in empowering students to find their voice and define their own successes through personal development, exploration and experiential learning. In relation to politics, this means offering conversations and scenarios that include tools for students to navigate through them. For example, if a polarizing political subject becomes the conversation, the tools may be the pros and cons from multiple sides of the debate. The trick is to instigate civilized dialogue and to ensure the environment remains welcoming, supportive and encouraging to those who participate or may want to. This may require setting guidelines to maintain a positive constructive discussion. You may also have to adjust your level of moderation. And, depending where you may be on campus: a classroom, student club meeting, in the residence hall, or out in the quad, other adjustments may be necessary to ensure a healthy discussion.

What are the goals of talking politics on campus? For me, it’s to help promote awareness of political diversity and encourage political discourse. However, I’ve made sure to never force discourse. I feel it should be a natural occurrence, just like any other conversation. The reason I hope to promote political awareness with students is because we’re talking about their future. We’re talking about my future. According 2008 NY Times exit polls following the presidential election, voters ages 18 to 29 were 18% of the voting electorate. Voters between 30 to 44 years were at 29%. Compare that to 2012 exit polls from the Washington Post, those same age groups were 19% and 27% respectively. According to the 2012 US Census, 18 to 44 year olds made up about 37% of the population. Interestingly, the US Census estimated there were 82.909 million people between 25 to 44 years, which is comparable to the 82.932 million people ages 45 to 64. This is a major chunk of the US population that could have a major voice in the political direction of the United States. But it’s not enough to hold conversations and debates. Actions to carry out voices must also be encouraged.

It is within the realm of actions, that the political will of a majority of the people begins to falter. In helping students become aware of social, political and economic issues, engagement through actions has been the best way, from personal experience, to help students learn how to make change happen. Actions could be to organize voting parties, volunteering for a local or national campaign, writing about issues for the school’s newspaper or a personal blog, or even involvement with an organization that advocates for specific issues that a student may be passionate about. In a way of saying, “it’s not what you say, but how you say it,” that will speak volumes to disrupt for good.

Politics can be an amazing opportunity to learn, connect and build with those around you. In higher education, the opportunities for students to become civically mindful and engaged can compliment a student’s academic experience on many levels. Even some experiences may translate over to experiences outside of politics and outside the classroom. On a personal level, politics in higher education invigorates me to continue my own political passions on the issues I care about, and to learn of other political concerns. Politics can and should be an inviting and enabling environment, and that is what I hope to create if I ever find myself debating the issues. How can you promote healthy political discourse and civic engagement on your campus?

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Hing Potter currently serves as an Admissions Outreach Specialist at Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, Washington (30 minutes north of Seattle). Before returning to his hometown, Hing spent time at College of Western Idaho, Boise State University, Bodies In Motion recreation and had a previous stint at Edmonds CC. Outside higher education, his passions include the great outdoors, volunteering and Seattle sports. Connect with Hing on Twitter, Instagram, and on his blog.

What I'm Geeking Out About This Week - 11/07/14

Welcome to another week in geek!

I'm again highlighting a diverse array of things that I have been enjoying as of late. Hopefully some of them are stuff you check and enjoy as well!

• Marry Me

This new NBC show from creator David Caspe (who also created the awesome show Happy Endings) stars Casey Wilson and Ken Marino. It is loosely based on Caspe and Wilson's real life relationship and recent marriage. Wilson and Marino are some of my favorite comedic actors and they are given some great material to work with here. If you have watched Happy Endings, it is very similar to that with more of a focus on relationship humor. It's quick, witty, and has ended up as one of the few new shows this fall season I think I might stick with (sorry Gotham).

• 2014 Midterm Election

I'll withhold judgement on this new Congress until it is sworn in and gets to work, but the link above goes to the aspect of elections I end up being more fascinated by; ballot measures. I see it as a more fine tuned barometer of where the country is at on particular issues. Marijuana legalization (sale and use) won in two states, as well as minimum wage increases in a handful of states. Personhood amendments were also voted down in a few states. With stuff like marriage equality and marijuana, I've seen a drastic change just in my short lifetime. I'm intrigued to see where it all goes since this is where I see major societal change happening constantly versus the inaction coming from Congress.

• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

I have to give a long overdue shout out to The Tonight Show since the mantle has been passed to Jimmy Fallon. He has brought his same fun energy and new media savvy to the venerable program, making all the episodes easily available on YouTube (link above), as well as Hulu. He also has several viral videos churning out of his show, having one almost every week it seems like, beating out the fading Jimmy Kimmel Live attempts (in my humble opinion). I mostly like to catch his "Thank You Notes" as well as the games he plays with his guests over his monologues or interview (which feel a little dated at this point). I highly recommend this show!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Movie Review Monday: Dr. Strangelove

Welcome to another look at some shining gems of the Netflix streaming offerings! This week, I look at the classic 1964 political satire film, Dr. Strangelove. I remember watching this movie back in my undergraduate days when I took an introduction to film course that had the class watch a number of the best classic movies from the twentieth century. This one sticks out in my memory as being one that definitely stands the test of time. I believe I may have a partial bias here as a history major, appreciating the spot on parody of the Cold War depicted here, but I think the eccentric and silly nature of the whole film is something anyone can enjoy.

Peter Sellers is the highlight of the movie in terms of actors. He is able to play multiple roles within the story and perform them all to perfection. Frankly, everyone in the film is great in their roles, making for a brilliant ensemble for the hilarity to flow from. Again, I'll make the point to say this is another smart comedy, so if you want to check your brain at the door, this may not be for you. While it is a clever parody, it isn't without its juvenile moments but the satire far outweighs any sophomoric hijinks.

Hope you enjoy and come back next week for another review!