Last week I made the argument not to express contempt for people who disagree with us. This was a common response: “They hate people like me, so they deserve contempt.” But by and large, this is based on a key error. 1/7— Arthur Brooks (@arthurbrooks) January 14, 2019
The Outrage Industrial Complex has convinced us that our ideological compatriots are motivated by love for humanity, but those on the other side are motivated by hatred for you. Social scientists call this “political motive asymmetry.” 2/7— Arthur Brooks (@arthurbrooks) January 14, 2019
But the data show that this is an inaccurate portrayal of the motivations of most Americans. While there’s a lot of disagreement, only a small minority (and Twitter bots) have genuinely radical views or wish harm upon their ideological foes. 3/7— Arthur Brooks (@arthurbrooks) January 14, 2019
Furthermore, 93% of Americans believe the country is too divided. Unfortunately, the other 7% are driving the debate, ginning up fear and hatred, and profiting from it. 4/7— Arthur Brooks (@arthurbrooks) January 14, 2019
When we forget this and treat others with contempt, it turns them into permanent enemies, something social scientists call the “boomerang effect.” This makes things worse. 5/7— Arthur Brooks (@arthurbrooks) January 14, 2019
Not that we should agree or stay silent when others say things that we disagree with. But how we disagree matters if we hope to be effective at making our case to people who don’t already agree with us (and bystanders watching the debate). 6/7— Arthur Brooks (@arthurbrooks) January 14, 2019
I give all the evidence of this in LOVE YOUR ENEMIES. My aim is to help a new generation of leaders rebel against the culture of contempt, win the future, and become happier people. You can pre-order your copy here: https://t.co/YbOGYqeQBv 7/7— Arthur Brooks (@arthurbrooks) January 14, 2019
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