I recently had the pleasure of joining Amethysta Herrick on Gender Identity Weekly to discuss one of the biggest challenges of our timeโhow outrage media fuels division and how we can push back against it. If you’re a fan of Outrage Overload, you know that this is a topic close to my heart.
During our conversation, we explored why outrage-driven media is so addictive, how it taps into our psychological need for tribal belonging, and the ways it warps our perception of reality. We also discussed the phenomenon of recreational outrageโwhen people actively seek out opportunities to be offended or to attack their ideological opponents.
One of the key takeaways from our conversation was the idea that breaking free from the outrage cycle isnโt just about avoiding toxic mediaโitโs about actively engaging in healthier discourse. We talked about strategies like:
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Recognizing when our emotions are being manipulated
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Being mindful of the sources we consume
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Prioritizing real-life, local engagement over nationalized culture wars
This episode was especially meaningful because Amethysta, the host, recently appeared in Outrage Overloadโs audio documentary on differences in sex development (DSDs). It was great to continue our dialogue on another platform and bring together insights from both conversations.

