Welcome to the Depolarization Project

I f you’re anything like us, you’re not exactly in a congenial mood right now. With the U.S. midterm elections fewer than three weeks away, you might be feeling combat-ready. And who could blame you? Seemingly on the ballot: the very future of the republic, steered by leaders who will shape policy about the climate, A.I., immigration, affordability, wars and many other critical issues.  There’s a lot at stake. And yet, for many of us, the way we feel goes beyond those stakes. One part of our brain chugs along analytically, taking stances on legislation, policy and governance. Meanwhile, another part seethes with contempt for those who disagree: They must be stupid, immoral, blind to the facts. Multiply by 340 million, and election season becomes a volatile brew.  But there’s hope. While social media algorithms, elected officials, and yes, even our own friends and colleagues, encourage us to close ranks and shut out dissenting voices, others are working in the other direction: reaching out, listening deeply, locating points of connection where they exist, and turning toward those they disagree with, rather than away.  Weighed down by negative news? Enter your email below to receive our smart, uplifting newsletters. Or click here to choose exactly which ones you want [contact-form-7] From now through Election Day, these are the people we’ll journey with. We’ll meet liberals and conservatives who are joining forces despite their differences to oppose data centers and border walls. We’ll talk to students who are turning their college campuses into spaces that welcome an array of opinions, and others participating in cultural exchanges far from their hometowns and comfort zones. We’ll listen in on conversations between “deep canvassers” and the voters they’re hearing out. And we’ll learn how polarization takes hold of the brain — and how, little by little, we can loosen its grip. The Depolarization Project isn’t a call to meet in the middle — it’s an experiment in curiosity. What forces fuel our sense of tribalism? Why do opposing perspectives register as a threat? Can we be open to differences of opinion without compromising our values? Is there hope for those of us who harbor a secret desire to bridge the divides?  We know many of you may be skeptical. We hope you’ll take this journey with us regardless, and learn whether we can we fight for what we believe in without closing our minds and our hearts. Illustration by MUTI The post Welcome to the Depolarization Project appeared first on Reasons to be Cheerful .