In the age of social media algorithms, which hook you by recommending similar content to what you’ve already clicked, it’s no wonder people in today’s polarised political landscape are getting trapped in echo chambers. For those who don’t know, an echo chamber is an environment where someone only encounters beliefs, opinions, or information that reinforce their existing views, while alternative and opposing perspectives are avoided. An echo chamber can be a dangerous place. Hearing the same opinions on repeat can make people more closed-minded and extreme in their views. It can also make us less empathetic and more prone to manipulation through propaganda or misinformation.
Towards Compassionate Dialogue
Popular debate channels on YouTube, such as Jubilee Media, capitalise on people’s fear of echo chambers through controversial videos that are supposedly designed to build empathy. Founded by Jason Lee in 2010, Jubilee creates debate-driven series where participants with opposing viewpoints discuss controversial issues with the intention of finding a ‘middle ground.’ According to Lee, the channel aims to ‘provoke understanding and create human connection’ by bringing people together and fostering compassion.
In theory, by putting people with different beliefs and backgrounds in dialogue, Jubilee encourages viewers to self-reflect and think critically. It opens echo chambers by representing a diverse range of participants and perspectives that aren’t visible in mainstream media. As well as this, Jubilee makes short, creative videos that make serious topics more engaging and accessible. So far, so good.
However, many of the topics discussed on Jubilee have questionable value. Videos such as ‘Is Being Gay a Choice?’ or ‘Do White People Experience Racism?’ and ‘Are Men Superior to Women?’ are clear examples of rage bait, that’s content designed to attract clicks by being highly controversial rather than aiming to introduce sober discussion. These videos seemingly create dialogue over whether people with certain identities have a right to exist, something that perhaps should never be debated in this crude way.
Meanwhile, Jubilee’s series ‘Middle Ground’ supposedly seeks to help people with opposing views empathise with each other and meet in the middle. This might sound promising, but when we see videos of flat earthers being pitched against scientists, the idea that ‘truth lies somewhere in the middle’ becomes absurd. What makes these videos particularly dangerous is the fact that they provide a platform for extremist thinkers who ‘win’ debates by giving outrageous soundbites, which then gain traction on social media.
Should We Platform Fascists?
Jubilee recently posted a video featuring Mehdi Hasan, titled ‘1 Progressive vs 20 Far-Right Conservatives.’ Not only did this video platform 20 fascists, but Mehdi also clarified on X afterwards that he ‘had no idea about any of this’ and was told he would be debating conservatives, not literal fascists. While some have argued that it is important not to censor controversial viewpoints, others have criticised Jubilee, and especially this video, for amplifying hatred under the guise of debate and profiting at the expense of marginalised people.
There are assuredly other ways of breaking out of an echo chamber than by watching rage-bait videos that platform extreme thinking. Assuming you have basic respect for human beings and believe people of all genders, races, sexualities, body types and religions have a fundamental right to exist, you don’t need to listen to shallow debates that barely scratch the surface. Instead, remain open-minded and really listen to others, even when they disagree with you. Don’t shy away from difficult conversations. And though your social circle may echo your own thinking, there will still be areas where your views will slightly differ, and that’s when you should pay the most attention.
As a teenager, I was very set in my political beliefs. I wore ‘fxck the Tories’ earrings and happily existed in the left-wing bubble of university, quickly shutting down anyone who opposed my core views. Over the years, my political beliefs have remained largely unchanged, and there are certainly some viewpoints I refuse to discuss. However, I am now far more open to befriending and conversing with people who have differing perspectives. This open-mindedness has helped me break out of my echo chamber, understand and empathise with others, and challenge my beliefs. In short, it has helped me grow as a person.
Breaking Down Echo Chambers
To keep breaking down echo chambers and challenging our understanding of the world around us, we must engage rather than disengage. However, instead of consuming controversial rage bait like Jubilee videos, I recommend subscribing to more neutral news platforms and thinking critically to determine your own stance on the stories and issues raised. No news platform is 100 per cent bias-free, so it’s crucial to use a variety of media sources when trying to navigate the online information labyrinths. I personally like to read the BBC, The Guardian, and The Telegraph to get the best of both worlds from the left and right. I certainly don’t need Jubilee’s radicalism to gain a middle ground — do you?
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