I’ve been in a similar environment here in D.C. in which polarization and mob psychology necessitate thinking in all-or-nothing ways. Unfortunately, such thinking is often antithetical to achieving compromise or satisfactory resolution for problems, as most discussions generate more heat than light. Nuance is key, but people are so driven by mass media and its constant focus on pandering to extreme emotions that the surface-level coverage they receive rarely provides them with an informed perspective on the issue. Even though I work in the political sphere, I’ve long since stopped watching mainstream news and instead primarily receive information via reading it from diverse sources online because I believe that the conscious engagement of reading allows one to process information more carefully and rationally. Mass media is often a powerful tool for mass manipulation that can use visuals, subtle wordings, and/or complete omissions to create or distort specific narratives, the Israel-Palestine conflict not excepted.
