In this episode of the podcast “Discerning the Unknown,” host Ryan Peterson discusses the issue of political polarization with guest David Beckemeyer, host of the “Outrage Overload” podcast. Peterson opens the show by sharing a personal anecdote about how he became angry and worked up over the divisive platform of a political candidate. He realized that he was falling into the trap of outrage politics, which is exactly what the candidate wanted.

Beckemeyer explains that outrage is a natural human emotion, but it becomes a problem when it is constantly dialed up to 11. He believes that people are being bombarded with information that is designed to make them angry and afraid, which leads to a toxic political environment. Beckemeyer argues that it is important to be more reasonable in thinking about opposing viewpoints and to avoid making assumptions about people based on their political affiliations.

Peterson and Beckemeyer discuss the role of social media and news media in promoting outrage and polarization. They also talk about the importance of critical thinking and media literacy in navigating the current information landscape. The episode concludes with Beckemeyer emphasizing the need for individuals to be more mindful of their own outrage and to strive for greater understanding and empathy in their political discourse.

Here’s how you can listen:

• Visit the “Discerning the Unknown” website: http://www.DiscerningTheUnknown.com
• Search for “Discerning the Unknown” on your favorite podcast app.