Winter has arrived, reminding us to check our furnace filters. We want everything to operate efficiently to ensure that our homes will be warm and welcoming for ourselves and visitors.
December is also a good time to check our own filters. Not the type that we purchase at the hardware store, but the filters that we all have in place when interacting with others. Too often gatherings devolve into unpleasantness as we share conversations and opinions about community, state and national events.
Many will agree that we live in a country that is divided in opinion. It doesn’t always break down to a political perspective, but often it does involve cultural, religious and what might be deemed “acceptable” norms for human behavior.
I used to believe that it was based on the source our current events “news.” I’m not certain we can easily discern what is legitimate and trusted “news” or “facts” regardless of the source.
I recently became aware of a theory the source of our information is far more complex than just a red or blue America perspective. We are no longer dependent upon a few news voices we trust on television, cable news or major media sources. The general population tends to live in as many as 12 information bubbles dependent upon age, location, education and access to and familiarity with the use of electronic devices.
The days of relying on ABC, NBC and CBS for nightly news and trusting favorite commentators and traditional media are gone. Much of America’s population has moved to cultural information bubbles populated by influencers with messages that may or may not be facts, but based on worldview opinions.
In an article recently published in Axios by Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen, 12 sources of information were identified. The names attributed to the groups were part of the article in Axios. Do you see yourself in this list?
1. Musk-eteers were mostly males who monitor X (Twitter), podcasts like Joe Rogan, and follow independent reporters through social media or newsletters
2. Instagrammers were mostly young to middle-aged women in college and professional class who enjoy the visual form of journalism.
3. TikTok kids ingest most of their information about the world and hot news topics by rapidly scrolling through pictures and bursts of information.
4. New-age grandmas consume news on Facebook and much of it may not be traditional news.
5. Right-wing grandpas are usually senior citizens who primarily watch Fox News, especially prime time, and are devoted to its commentators.
6. MAGA mind melders are a new conservative ecosystem devoted to President-elect Trump, his followers, family, and influences who self-identify as.
7. Liberal warriors acquire information from MSNBC, NY Times, The Atlantic and the New Yorker and have “migrated” to Bluesky for social media.
8. Elite power-consumers rely on Axios, and Morning Joe, and are mainly college-educated, ambitious professionals who seek out news daily for professional enhancement.
9. The financier’s base for information is The Wall Street Journal, CNBC and “Squawk Box.”
10. Niche-ers are professionals who get news from their industry or specific roles, spend time on Reddit and use WhatsApp to communicate.
11. Emerging majority of upwardly mobile, college-educated Latinos and Black Americans rely on trusted journalists on mainstream outlets like NPR and the LA Times.
12. Passive-ists may be the largest group and are made up of people who are either too busy or too disinterested in the news to care about it. They find news by chatting with friends or scrolling on social media.
Communicating has always been complicated. Is it any wonder why we have trouble talking to people or finding common ground? It takes effort to figure out what is the root of our disagreement.
A simple strategy is to ask questions, listen more and remember to check your filters. It’s wise to CYA or Check Your Assumptions. Who knows, we might learn from each other.