De-Polarization Workshop
A workshop for getting people back together
Most People Are in Filter Bubbles
Filter bubbles result from personalized searched when a website algorithm selectively guesses what information a user would like to see based on information of the users’ searching history and past click-behaviour.
As a result, people are separated from information and opinions that are opposite to theirs, which effectively leads to isolation and polarization of their own cultural ot ideological bubbles.
Most People Are in Echo Chamber
Echo chambers are ideas or situations influenced by media and social circles that foster one way of thinking. Mankind finds comfort in selecting articles that affirm their beliefs and communicating with people who agree with their ideas.
A person who is confined in an echo chamber, or a series of ideas that lack diversity, struggles to think outside of the box, reach compromise with those who hold different beliefs than themselves and tend to be less innovative.
Most People Selectively Expose Themselves
Joseph Klapper stated in the 1960s that most people are routine in what they read and whom they choose to engage with. For example, a person may wake up every morning and read stories from the same news outlet; their loyalty to this source could prevent them from understanding why someone would have a different stands on the same issues. This is called selective exposure.
This Workshop Exposes Them to Different Ways of Thinking
The purpose of the De-Polarization Workshop is to encourage people to step outside of their echo chamber and filter bubbles. The method doesn’t support confrontation, but the interchange of ideas. It was originally thought with a political output, but it can aim to the relation in between religions and other communities.
Digital Chat Roulette for Future Bigger Communities
For the future, we leave the door open to create a platform, like Chat Roulette or Omegle, but to connect people from all over the world with opposite perspectives. The method would be the same, but the survey, analysis and dialogue would be in a digital form. The biggest amount of ideas shared, the bigger the benefit.
— — Listen
— — Openminded
— — Undersatanding
— — Respect
GUIDELINES:
Why Implement This Workshop?
As an attempt to chip away at the issue of an increasingly polarized society, the purpose of De-Polarization Work Shop is to encourage people to step outside of their “echo chamber.” Echo chambers are ideas or situations influenced by media and social circles that foster only one way of thinking. Most people are routine in what they read and whom they choose to engage with. People enjoy consuming news that aligns with their ideology and interacting with like-minded people. A person may wake up every morning and read stories from the same news outlet; however, their loyalty to that source could prevent them from understanding other perspectives regarding the same issues. This form of one-sided attention is called “selective exposure.”
A person who is confined in an echo chamber, or a series of ideas that lack diversity, struggles to think outside of the box, reach compromise with those who hold different beliefs than themselves and tend to be less innovative. Mankind finds comfort in selecting articles that affirm their beliefs and communicating with people who agree with their ideas. By only exposing oneself to information and discussions that support original thought, people are furthering themselves into an abyss of close mindedness.
In a TED talk with Robb Willer called, “How to Have Better Political Conversations,” he addresses the issue of increasing polarization between the right and the left. He ended with the words, “empathy and respect, it’s the least we owe to our fellow citizens.” Whether it is to better understand why someone thinks the way they do, or it is to alter perspectives, being surrounded by a community that challenges each other’s beliefs is beneficial for everyone involved. People who are willing to interact with those who hold opposing opinions tend to be more successful and secure in their own ideas. In other words, broadening one’s own political or social horizons can be improve productive communication and make way for critical thinking and self-improvement within a classroom, workplace or any other group environment.
Consider This:
During the De-Polarization Workshop, people may experience what theorist Leon Festinger called “cognitive dissonance.” That is, when ideas are challenged, people may feel a sense of discomfort and concern over acting inconsistently with their original beliefs. This usually leads to one of three different outcomes: people feel compelled to change their ideas/actions, people re-evaluate and justify their consistent ideas in a productive manner or people become defensive and refuse to consider other perspectives. To get the best experience possible, people should be prepared to come with an open mind and to embrace different opinions, not resort to defense mechanisms.
Before Beginning:
In order to ensure that your group will engage in a respectful exchange of ideas, it is imperative that a set of guidelines is created based on the consensus of all participants before starting the exercise. These guidelines or rules will define the social and conversational norms that are expected to be upheld during the entirety of the workshop. Depending on the unique culture of each cohort, what is considered to be “normal” does not have one meaning; however, mutual courtesy is vital. Remind the group that the survey answers are not confidential as the group leader will be reviewing them and pairs will be asked to go over their answers during the discussion. Because of this, a high level of respect must be upheld throughout the session. Please make sure that everyone in the group understands what must be done to engage in productive and respectful conversations.
Step-by-Step
Step One: Survey-
In order to pair participants based on their opposing values and beliefs, each group member must complete the survey portion of the workshop. The survey should be able to measure each person’s stance on a wide range of issues. Below, are a few general questions that can be used or altered. The sample questions serve as a framework and can be applied to many different communities across the world; however, for the most effective results, add questions that pertain to current issues within your local community. For example, your city may be preparing to vote on a proposition to add more speed bumps on neighborhood streets. If that were a real case, it could be incorporated into the survey in the following way:
Which of the following best reflects your opinion on the upcoming Prop. 1 election regarding the addition of more speed bumps on neighborhood streets?
- I am for it, the area needs more speed bumps
- I am against it, speed bumps are unattractive
- I am against it, we should be putting the money towards something else
- I did not know about Prop. 1 before reading this
- Other:
**Make sure to provide as many options as possible to ensure participants are able to identify with the results. With smaller groups, an “other” option can be beneficial in ensuring accurate answers, but it is recommended that you avoid it with groups larger than 40 for time management purposes. Encourage participants to think and push them to select the answer that best represents them.
Sample Survey Questions
Step Two: Pair-Up
The group facilitators are to collect the surveys following completion. Depending on the size of the group, the process of reviewing and matching individuals together may take a while, but it is vital in making sure people are exposed to perspectives that conflict with their own. By doing so, people will be challenged to fullest extent possible. Exposure to contradicting perspectives allows for participants to escape from their echo chamber through actively engaging with those who hold an opposing perspectives. After the surveys are evaluated and people with opposing views are paired, give the group time to find their partner and a place to converse.
Step Three: Exchange Ideas
It is important that the group is provided with a safe space for pairs to exchange ideas. Make sure you remind people to follow the rules they agreed on. The activity demands open mindfulness, acceptance to new points of view, and respect. Help and mediation should be provided if necessary, but the conversation should be a fair exchange of ideas, not a debate. The workshop facilitators should supervise conversations and engage with pairs that seem to be having a hard time with the exercise. Those who are struggling may look flustered, uncomfortable, quiet, etc. and this is normal. Humans do not like to be exposed to new ideas, but guiding conversations can help make participants more comfortable and conversations more productive.
Step Four: Reflect
Following the one-on-one conversations, participants should be given at least five minutes to reflect individually. Encourage everyone to write down two points of view they have never considered prior to the exercise. The facilitators may collect these notes for reviews along with any additional feelings the participants may want to share. By doing this, group leaders can see how the individuals benefitted from the workshop, even those who do not feel comfortable sharing aloud. Lastly, allow for a group reflection by congregating everyone back to their original seats. Below are a few reflection questions that may be used for the final discussion. Participants may share their responses and experiences out loud and create a list of goals to aid the community in preventing echo chambers in the future.
Sample Reflection Questions:
- Is anyone willing to share a new perspective they were exposed to today?
- Was anyone’s opinion changed?
- What can we do as a group moving forward to ensure we are not individuals stuck in an echo chamber?
- How are you going to be more aware of others’ perspectives in the future and avoid the negative effects of selective exposure?
