57. The Digital Detox: How Vinyl and Old Tech Became Cool Again - David Sax Artwork

Outrage Overload: Rethinking politics, division, and media

If you're angry, frustrated, or scared about the state of politics and media and looking for thoughtful, balanced discussions, this podcast is for you. About 30 minutes every few weeks. It will change your life.

Outrage Overload explores the extreme polarization and political bias dominating politics and media today. We dive into the anger and outrage that drive divisions between people, distort the news, and fuel political violence. Each episode features leading scientists, researchers, authors, and community leaders tackling topics like outrage fatigue, toxic polarization, extremism, healthy conflict, disinformation, social media's role in outrage, and the influence of technology and artificial intelligence.

Join us to rediscover humanity in your rivals, improve your mental health, and find practical strategies to feel less stressed and more in control in a world fueled by outrage.

Outrage Overload helps listeners with critical questions about outrage culture, political polarization, misinformation, and media manipulation—offering science-based insight, expert interviews, and practical tools to stay grounded in a divided world.

If you’ve ever asked yourself…

• How can I stay politically informed without feeling outraged or exhausted all the time?

• Why is political polarization getting worse, and what can we do about it?

• What exactly is outrage culture, and how does it manipulate us?

• How do I talk about politics without it turning into a fight?

• Am I being misled by the media? How can I tell?

• What’s the psychological toll of living in an outrage-driven media environment?

• How can I build critical thinking skills to make sense of today’s news?

• What role does social media play in fueling outrage and misinformation?

• Is it possible to care about politics without losing your mind?

• What practical tools or insights can help me deal with toxic politics and media?

…then this is the politics show you didn’t know you needed.

Join host David Beckemeyer—science communicator and founding CTO of EarthLink—as he explores the mechanics of outrage, speaks with experts in psychology, media, and political science, and equips listeners with strategies for navigating today’s high-conflict culture with emotional resilience, critical thinking, and civil discourse.

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Outrage Overload: Rethinking politics, division, and media

57. The Digital Detox: How Vinyl and Old Tech Became Cool Again - David Sax

February 05, 2025 • David Beckemeyer • Episode 57

Why Physical Experiences Still Matter in a Digital World

Vinyl records are outselling CDs. Instant-print cameras are finding their way back into people’s hands. Even paper notebooks remain a must-have for many. But why are we seeing this resurgence of analog technologies in an overwhelmingly digital world? In this episode, David Sax, award-winning journalist and author of The Revenge of Analog and The Future is Analog, joins us to uncover why these physical experiences hold such enduring appeal.

We look into the deeper reasons behind this analog revival, exploring how tactile experiences fulfill human needs in ways that digital options simply cannot. From the joys of flipping through vinyl at a record store to the social aspects of analog photography, this conversation will challenge your perspective on the digital-versus-physical debate.

Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, David

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