A few months ago, I learned the term "echo chamber". I had always understood the concept but I was unaware of the term. And, in case you were much like myself a few months ago and also don't know what an echo chamber is, it is, in my own words, the emphasis of an idea within a closed space. For example, let's say somebody thinks eating other people might be socially acceptable. By finding other people who espouse that idea, the idea becomes more pronounced and justified in the person's mind.
Echo chambers are dangerous. And you can probably see why.
I found myself wondering aloud how certain political stances can even exist. As an example, recent legislation in particular states now has men entering the women's bathroom because they were born women. This is fucking stupid. But, people can rationalize it in part through echo chambers. The idea may be poor, but if everyone is repeating it with no dissent, it becomes plausible.
If you are reading this, you are guilty of embracing an echo chamber, I have no doubt. And that isn't an accusatory statement; I am also guilty. This is because the internet is fucking full of echo chambers. In an ironic twist, and in an era where information can be spread faster than ever, people seem more and more to choose to confine themselves to opinions and biases that inherently match their own. This, in turn, has led to the breakdown of dissent and discourse. How often is it these days that people with opposing views simply cannot engage with one another? They've become so cemented in their opinions that discussion is rendered DOA.
I encourage you, reader, to leave your echo chamber, even if only for a little. Why do people support positions and opinions that you cannot even begin to understand, or have deemed "stupid" or worse? Why are some of the strongest political bases emerging in this country backing a socialist and a plutocrat? Is it possible that there may be some merit, some actual, tangible value in their opinions in perspectives? If you dismiss the opposition, be it in religion, politics, or otherwise, without considering what value their position has or why they have it, then you have fallen into the echo chamber trap, as it seems so many have.
And yes, I am aware of the irony of writing this.
