"People with small networks of homogeneous ties now have the technological facility to isolate themselves in bubbles of ideological consistency, or ‘‘monadic clusters,’’ that reinforce already existing values and beliefs." Gergen (2003, 2008). This statement serves as the title and basis for an article entitled Segmenting the Electorate: The Effects of Exposure to Political Extremism Online. (Warner, 2010)
The article describes the conduct and analyzes the results of a study conducted in a controlled setting comprised of a cross section of individuals of mixed political ideologies and provided the participants with extreme content according to orientation. The researchers expected to find that this exposure would result in more extreme tendencies regardless of liberal or conservative leanings. They were surprised to find that their theory was only partially supported. Only those of conservative ideology seemed to be susceptible to becoming more extreme with a homogenous message. Liberals and moderates seemed unaffected.
I found myself speculating on the one-sided result of the study because the article did not speculate as to possible reasons driving the result. The best explanation I can offer is the very nature of conservatives is to resist change (conserving/preserving traditional norms). Most people, especially those with a conservative nature, fear change. Extremism has historically been motivated by fear. The connection seems to flow naturally. When that fear is fed and nurtured by like-minded people it becomes a catalyst for extremism.
The article and the study it details provide not only some interesting findings but leave us to consider the potential danger online extremism poses and what if anything should be done to address it. Censorship would represent the very extremism it would seek to control. But should we risk doing nothing at all? I think we should start with further study.
Mark Peterson
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