Walls Divide Bridges Unite: Overcoming Differences

It seems that we lean one way or the other, and of course we do, we often lean in the direction of the strongest winds from the blowhards with better lies. Each group has their favorite lies, and social media gets rich providing echo chambers that only reinforce the rhetoric people already believe.

Constructing Division: How We Build the Walls That Trap Us

Leaders tell their version or side, then the media turns it into talking points, and then people on social media support one another’s beliefs; what are we? Construction labor for our own prison? The same practices are similar to what many countries experienced so that their leaders could take their rightful place as “Most Terrible Leaders.”

Since the 90s with the World Wide Web to the early MySpace (2003), Facebook (2004), and Twitter (2006), the division between sides has grown wider and sometimes to the point of violence. Media corporations and political figures benefit from this division, profiting off outrage and conflict while reinforcing narratives that keep people locked into ideological silos. Social platforms fine-tune their algorithms to push the most engaging content; but not always the most truthful—driving division even further.

Their Platforms, Our Power:

They own the platforms, but we own our attention. We don’t have to keep doing this. The same tools that turn our attention into weapons against each other can also be used to build bridges—but only if we choose to use them differently. It won’t be easy, and the platforms will resist. After all, division is more profitable than unity. But new platforms are emerging, and others will follow.

We also have to stop believing everything we hear—about ourselves and each other. When we hear something outrageous, we should be alarmed sooner, not later. Our tolerance for misinformation and divisive rhetoric has become too relaxed, making it easier for harmful narratives to spread unchecked. We need to pause and ask, “Is this true?” Instead of assuming the worst about those we disagree with, what if we really examine things honestly and with an open mind?

If we took a moment to step back and examine reality without the noise, we might realize that while they use platforms to shape narratives, we still control what we engage with. Most of us want the same fundamental things—security, fairness, and stability.

Breaking this cycle isn’t just about knowing the problem—it’s about choosing a different path. The walls are already built. The question is: Will we keep reinforcing them, or start tearing them down?

Of course, achieving a shared truth is far from simple. Consider immigration in the US in 2016-2025: How do you convince one side that, statistically, Americans they know personally are more likely to commit a crime than an immigrant—legal or not? Or, how do you tell the other side that cutting social services will hurt them, their parents, their extended family, their loved ones with disabilities, their disabled neighbor, and even their future selves too. There are years, even decades, where leaders and social media have trained our points of view.

If We’re Building, Let’s Build Bridges Instead

A call-in segment on C-SPAN, possibly from years ago, provided a perfect example of the challenge we face. A caller, convinced of their beliefs, repeated misinformation that has been fed to them for years. It wasn’t just about one statement or one issue—this was the result of decades of reinforcement by media, culture, and political leaders who thrive on division. Many people would write him off as a lost cause, mocking him for entertainment, but that approach does nothing to change the conversation.

The C-SPAN host, however, handled the situation differently. She didn’t mock or dismiss him, nor did she validate false claims. Instead, she listened with patience and professionalism, asking thoughtful questions and keeping the conversation open. Mostly, she listened. She tried to ask a sensible question, but the caller repeated the same talking points and phrases. The call could have lasted many minutes more, but the clip that circulated online provided no further context. There may have been constraints on how long the YouTuber could use, but regardless, the exchange may have been reduced to a shallow caricature rather than a full conversation.

This is the choice we all face. Are we going to engage like the host—leading with curiosity, patience, and honesty? Or are we going to feed into the cycle of mockery, outrage, and division? The people pushing division rely on us reacting emotionally, not thinking critically. If we want to break the cycle, we have to do better. We have to build bridges, not walls.

Major Platforms That Dominate Online Discourse:

• YouTube (YT) – The largest video-sharing platform, heavily influenced by engagement-driven algorithms.
• Facebook (FB) – The most dominant social media network, designed to reinforce personal echo chambers.
• X (formerly Twitter) – Once a hub for real-time news and discussion, now a chaotic mix of discourse, disinformation, and algorithmic manipulation.
• Instagram (IG) – Owned by Meta (Facebook), focuses on visual engagement, but remains a key influencer of culture and politics.
• TikTok – A hyper-engagement platform, where short-form content drives trends, outrage cycles, and political narratives.
• Reddit – A mix of independent community-driven discussions, but still subject to strong groupthink and moderation biases.

Alternative Platforms:

Left-Leaning / Decentralized Platforms:

• Mastodon – Open-source Twitter alternative, but has strong left-leaning moderation.
• Bluesky – Twitter alternative started by Jack Dorsey; more open than Mastodon, but still evolving.
• Lemmy / Kbin – Open-source Reddit alternatives, but communities tend to lean progressive.

Right-Leaning / “Free Speech” Platforms:

• Truth Social – Trump’s platform, mostly a MAGA echo chamber.
• Gab – Marketed as a free-speech platform but notorious for extremism.
• Rumble – Video alternative to YouTube, popular among conservatives.

General “Free Speech” Alternatives:

• Odysee – A blockchain-based alternative to YouTube, less censorship but still engagement-driven.
• Minds – A decentralized social network that claims to support free speech without algorithms.
• Substack / Ghost – Blogging platforms that let people control their audience without algorithmic interference.

The available platform options aren’t great, and that needs to change. Until then, seek out spaces where real discussions can happen—where different viewpoints can be heard and balanced perspectives can emerge. Engage in conversations, write, call your representatives, and use every tool available to push for a better, more informed world. Hate and division are not just U.S. problems—they are global challenges, often driven by political forces that thrive on keeping people apart.