Outrage Overload is a podcast I started to explore outrage porn, angertainment, and the outrage industry. Like a lot of people, I used to retweet and share news and stories with sensational headlines, determined to change peoples’ minds and bring them around to the “right” way of thinking or to inform those with similar views about the latest outrage on the other side.
Meanwhile, I was starting to see more and more people in my life talking about disconnecting with friends, family and loved ones. I saw people were not able to talk to each other. Close friends, lifetime relationships, tossed out the window over disagreements, usually political disagreements.
I also started to become increasingly annoyed with spam email from political campaigns, spam from candidates basically “on my side” highlighting some kind of egregious acts from the other side.
One day I reached my limit; I reached my own personal outrage overload. I took a step back and started to look at all this media keeping me in a constant state of outrage: cable news, social media, emails and texts, even friends and family. I started to look at this with a new lens: outrage porn and its effects on all of us. One of those effects being our extreme political polarization.
I discovered I wasn’t alone in this. A lot of people expressed how they also felt exhausted by the outrage and stressed out all the time. Many feel squeezed out of the discussion by more extreme voices. And so, as a curious person and a one-time professional researcher, I began exploring the whole thing more.
Many papers and books on related subjects have been published over the last several decades and especially the last few years. But no one has really put it all in the context of outrage porn and the outrage industry.
One of my favorite things to do is talk to smart people about important things. A podcast seemed like a perfect way to get to do just that and to share my journey of discovery with an audience of people who are curious about politics and outrage, especially about what’s going on with us, the risks to society (and our mental health), and to learn what we might be able to do about it.
Outrage Overload is an entertaining exploration of outrage porn, angertainment, and the outrage industry with world-renowned scientists and other experts. My hope is that, by listening to the podcast, you will also be able to take a step back, rediscover the humanity in your rivals, and improve your own mental health in the process.
Learn more in this interview with Lawrence Eppard on the Connors Institution Utterly Moderate podcast:
Third-party review of the show
Outrage Overload is a podcast hosted by David Beckemeyer, a science communicator and author. The podcast explores the phenomenon of outrage in society and politics, and how it can be harmful to our mental and emotional health. Beckemeyer interviews experts on a range of topics, including outrage culture, misinformation, and the role of social media in our lives. He also shares his own experiences with outrage, and how he has learned to manage it.
The podcast has been praised for its thoughtful and engaging approach to a complex topic. Beckemeyer is a skilled interviewer, and he gets his guests to open up about their experiences with outrage. He also does a good job of explaining complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand.
If you are interested in learning more about outrage, or if you are looking for a podcast that will help you to manage your own emotional well-being, I highly recommend checking out Outrage Overload.
Here are some of the things you can learn from the podcast:
- What is outrage? Outrage is a strong emotional response to something that is perceived as unfair, unjust, or harmful. It can be triggered by a variety of things, including news stories, political events, or personal experiences.
- Why is outrage harmful? Outrage can have a negative impact on our mental and emotional health. It can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also make it difficult to think clearly and make rational decisions.
- How can we manage outrage?ย There are a number of things we can do to manage outrage. One is to avoid exposure to things that trigger us. Another is to develop coping mechanisms, such as deep breathing or meditation. We can also try to reframe our thinking about outrage, and see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Here’s some other questions we like to talk about on the show, in regards to why the other side won’t come around to your way of thinking:
- Are they just stupid?
- Are they being paid off by special interests?
- Are they brainwashed by the media?
- Are they just trying to be contrarian?
- Are they just trying to make me angry?
- Are they just trying to destroy America?
And one of my favorites:
How can they be so blind to the truth?
Outrage Overload is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about outrage and how to manage it. It is a well-produced and informative podcast that is sure to engage and enlighten listeners.