America’s “Culture of Outrage”

Once upon a time, we Americans were known for our apple pie, jazz music, and a general sense of optimism. Now? Well, now we're more known for our outrage. We've traded in our baseball mitts for pitchforks and are ready to unleash a digital tirade at the drop of a hat. All made worse by the rise of social media and access to more information (and disinformation) than ever before.

The Outrage Industry

Social media has turned us all into amateur detectives, armed with screenshots, and a burning desire to be right. A misplaced pronoun, a slightly off-color joke, or a differing opinion can send us into a tailspin of righteous indignation. We've become experts at finding offense where none was intended, and our ability to craft a scathing tweet is second only to our new love of memes and sound bites.

What is bad is that outrage becomes part of the algorithm that turns your feed evermore angry and supportive of your outrage and indignation. Each “like” or comment on an angry post breed more of that into your ecosphere. You tell the internet to bring you more content that will offend, outrage, and just make you angry. This happens to even the most intelligent and well-meaning user.

According to a 2024 study (1), the average American spends 6 ½ hours per day online and 1/3 of that time on social media. That's a lot of time to be exposed to the world's worst takes, negativity, and just plain old fashion meanness. The curation of context and reward for negative behaviors add fuel to the fire and give large platforms for radical and extreme opinions and content that seep into your feed, and when seen over and over, it can cause a rational person to become more extreme.

Examples of Outrage

• Cancel Culture: Once, we canceled cable. Now, we cancel people. A single misstep, real or perceived, can lead to a social media lynch mob demanding someone's head on a platter.
• Political Polarization: It used to be possible to have a civil conversation with someone who had a different political view. Now, it's more likely to end in a screaming match.
• Celebrity Drama: We're obsessed with the lives of people we don't know, and we're quick to judge their every move and in some cases imitate bad behavior not considering consequences.

How to Stop Being So Angry

Okay, so we've established that we're a bunch of angry people. I think it’s safe to say that for most people, we don’t actually enjoy being consistently agitated and upset all the time, but what can we do about it?

• Unplug: Take a break from social media. Your mental health will thank you.
• Develop a thicker skin: Not everyone is going to agree with you, and that's okay.
• Learn to disagree respectfully: It's possible to have a civil conversation with someone who has a different opinion. Even if this is about a deeply help belief you have, each person is responsible and accountable for their own conduct, let them live their truth.
• Don’t pass it on: Resist that urge to send that zinger meme, post, or comment. Is it kind? Is it is helpful? Ask yourself, does this really help or add to the conversation?
• Remember your humanity: We're all just trying to get through this life. "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about." - Wendy Mass, let's try to be a little kinder to each other.

Remember there will be some of us that for multiple reason, seek out and live for being outraged. Sometimes that can be a friend, coworker, or even a family member. When offering them some extra grace and do your level best to avoid contentious topics, set boundaries, or you may even

In conclusion, America's culture of outrage is a problem. But it's a problem that we can solve. By working together, we can create a more positive and inclusive society. So let's put down our phones, pick up a good book, and try to remember what it's like to be human. And in the wise words of my cousin Tommy, “Be great!”

 Sources

 1.      www.statista.com/statistics.