Ask Lemmy

People prefer less social strife in general. They may think they like "owning" some opponent, but what they really want is a bunch of people that agree with them so they can feel safe and calm. That's what it comes down to, that feeling of safety.

Engaging in conflict is only fun when the base you're standing on, and returning to, is solid and supportive.

That is completely faction agnostic, it applies outside of politics as well.

Since the world as it is often is controlled by people leveraging fear and doubt to wield control, it pushes people into feeling besieged which makes them seek "safety" in numbers by connecting with those they think of as allies more than they might if not exposed to the manipulation used by political (or other) blocs and the people that control those blocs.

I was raised in the other echo chamber and I talk to my parents pretty regularly. 🤷

Who wants to be stuck talking to a bunch of obnoxious evil clowns?

I think it's worth questioning the premise of this question - do the majority of people stay in their echo chambers?

It might seem like that online, but is there any evidence that it's true more generally?

I think echo chambers is what the current form of the internet has provided us with. Especially the recommendation algorithms that make it so convenient. And it's a downwards-spiral in itself.

Also politics in the USA seems to have that baked in. Two parties, strong opinions about everything and you need to take sides. Everything needs to be simple truths and about people, less about complicated topics and diversified perspectives. You're either supporting something or the enemy.

Also in the present time some people struggle with the choices available to them. Some want guidance, simple truths and something to identify themselves with. It's a part of being human to look for a way to define your own identity. And to want a group to belong to.

So we end up in a situation where everything is pushing towards it. People longing for recognition and validation, tribalism being part of our psychology. Companies pushing for it with their platforms and algorithms. And politicians recognizing and exploiting it to their advantage.

And I rarely see politicians talk about tackling actual issues... Saying it'll take some effort but we need to address xyz, it's the way forward. They rather make it emotional, make a show out of it. Other things would be widely unpopular in the US.

not american.

but echo chambers are cool in a way that goes beyond politics. it provides perceptible feelings of unity, belongingness, and validity to those that seek them. apes together strong kind of deal.

and since politics is about social issues, I don't see why not.

Splintered media environment means we don't actually have a shared set of facts to discuss with people from the other side anymore. We can't have normal conversations when we can't agree on the basic facts on the ground.

I don't particularly share interests, or spaces do that matter, with people on the opposite end of the political spectrum

I cannot speak for other people, but I like being right more than I like thinking I'm right. If you have any enlightenment I don't, gimme.

Whatever the reason, I'm quite happy about it. Makes it easy to block and ignore.

Not American; is this something that you come across offline too? Since I mostly see this online, and the behavior that you described are rewarded more since social media companies get more money from it.

Human nature; people do not want to admit when they're wrong, so they seek media that does not challenge their beliefs.