Jun 27, 2022
The discourse in the US is increasingly toxic and divisive. Disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech are rampant and we have few options to change it.
The US has been entrenched in a deteriorating political and information environment for a long time now. The Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade instantly removed a right that 165 million Americans expected to have indefinitely.
The discourse has always been divisive, but now it's reaching a point where people are unable to listen to one another or understand each other's perspectives. This means that there isn't any real discourse anymore, just fighting words that make people feel good about themselves but don't actually accomplish anything at all.
Bio
Ryan Merkley
Ryan Merkley is Managing Director at Aspen Digital, focused on emerging technology, internet policy, and the information ecosystem. He is an accomplished executive working at the intersection of public good and technology for organizations like Wikimedia, Creative Commons, and Mozilla.
Resources
Commission on Information Disorder Final Report