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“Overthreat” and “Undertrust” Should Replace the Term Polarization

An illustration of people holding their phones out and having conversations online.

Getty Images, We Are

“Overthreat” and “Undertrust” Should Replace the Term Polarization

PART TWO

The previous article was a critique of the word “polarization”. This article suggests replacements to use instead, the new words “overthreat” and “undertrust.”

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Polarization was the word of the year. It’s highly problematic and we can do better.

Two wooden figurines arguing.

Getty Images, PM Images

Polarization was the word of the year. It’s highly problematic and we can do better.

PART ONE

Merriam-Webster named “polarization” the word of the year in 2024.

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Natural Disasters Reveal the Truth About Our Shared Humanity

A firefighter on duty.

Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash.

Natural Disasters Reveal the Truth About Our Shared Humanity

Originally published by Independent Voters News.

Though we come from opposite coasts, we share a painful reality that many Americans know all too well: our communities have been devastated by disaster. One of us lives in California, where historic wildfires have ravaged coastal cities - destroying thousands of homes and businesses, displacing tens of thousands of people, and claiming more than two dozen lives. The other lives in Augusta, Georgia, where Hurricane Helene recently caused widespread destruction by knocking down homes, wiping out farms, and taking hundreds of lives.

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To Overcome Our Divides, We Must Try to Understand the Other Side’s Anger

I’m in an unusual and uncommon line of work: I work on reducing toxic political polarization with the nonpartisan organization, Builders. As part of this work, I get to talk with Americans who may very much disagree politically but can agree it’s vitally important we detoxify our politics.

After the election, I’ve been listening carefully to the people in our community. I’ve listened to Democratic voters distraught at Trump’s election, who can’t understand how so many people could vote for someone like him.

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