845: A Small Thing That Gives Me a Tiny Shred of Hope
This American Life
Deep Dive
Why is the country so politically divided?
The country is divided over fundamental issues like the COVID-19 vaccine, the 2020 election, and the January 6th Capitol attack, with two distinct visions of reality that seem irreconcilable.
What is the 'small thing' that gives hope in the podcast?
The 'small thing' is the possibility that people in the U.S. could listen to each other, look at facts together, and understand each other better, as exemplified by the story of a couple finding common ground through a neutral news source.
How did the couple in the story resolve their political differences?
They found a common news source called 'Tangle' that presented both left and right perspectives on topics, helping them agree on facts and reducing emotional arguments.
What is 'Tangle' and how does it work?
'Tangle' is a daily newsletter that summarizes the best articles and arguments from both right and left sources on a single topic, aiming to bridge the political divide by presenting balanced information.
Why did the husband in the story change his mind about the 2020 election?
He changed his mind after reading 'Tangle,' which provided detailed, serious assessments of election fraud claims, making him feel less stupid for believing them and ultimately convincing him of the election's legitimacy.
How does June plan to vote in the election without her husband knowing?
June plans to vote secretly for Kamala Harris, using tactics like gray rocking (being as boring as possible) and dodging political conversations to avoid arguments with her husband.
Why is Frank having trouble dating in New York City?
Frank, a registered Republican, struggles to date because many women in New York City are politically liberal and cancel dates upon discovering his conservative views.
What is Frank's perspective on the importance of politics in relationships?
Frank believes politics is less important than personal qualities like kindness and manners, but he understands that for many, especially women, political views directly impact their lives more significantly.
- Journalist in the street is trying to bring people from different political backgrounds to a common understanding.
- The story starts with a couple, Richard and Emily Newton, who are unhappily living on opposite sides of the red-blue divide.
Shownotes Transcript