Can We Beat the Negativity Bias?

I’m hopeful for THIS in 2024…

An Embarrassment of Riches

Turning the negativity bias on its head

It is an undeniable fact of being human that negative events, comments, and interactions have more of an impact on us than their positive counterparts. I’m sure you’ve all experienced some version of this—you can get dozens of kind replies to a tweet, but it’s the one nasty, unkind one that doesn’t just stick with you, it spoils the good feelings.

Called the negativity bias, this trait has outlived most of its evolutionary usefulness -- but we are, alas, stuck with it. And it does have a fair amount of explanatory power when trying to understand what’s happening on the right. The extent to which Republican politicians traffic in fear-mongering and rage focuses their voters in a way that shuts out anything good.

We should take a different tack and remind ourselves why we need to approach the 2024 election with a sense of real possibility and purpose, not the dread, fear, and rage that the right deploys so cynically.

Optimism wins elections. Here is how:

1) It motivates and energizes supporters - it inspires voters to look forward to the future and to turn out and engage. On the other hand, negativity breeds apathy and low turnout, hurting our chances where it matters the most.

2) It attracts swing voters: In close elections, especially in swing states, undecided voters are the key. Optimism can appeal to these voters by offering them positive solutions and a better path forward.

3. It counters Republican negativity: Republican campaigns often rely on fear and division. Optimism directly counters this and offers a contrasting message of unity and progress.

Here are 2 powerful ways we can harness the power of optimism in 2024:

• By promoting unity and inclusivity and advocating for solutions that address concerns of all Americans.

• By embracing the future and presenting a vision that inspires hope and excitement.

Remember, optimism isn't just a feeling; it's a powerful political tool. If we embrace a positive, solutions-oriented approach, Democrats can energize the base, attract swing voters, and counter Republican negativity in 2024. In a close election, optimism can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Everything is at stake in 2024 and emerging triumphant will require all of us pulling together and taking a multi-faceted approach to salvaging—and then strengthening—our democracy so it finally becomes truly representative for all Americans.

For our part, we need to embrace the opportunity not just to snatch democracy from the jaws of autocracy as we did in 2020, but to hobble the fascist movement that has continued to build strength.

Much more than that, though—let’s build something that people from all segments of our society want to be part of: a true multi-cultural democracy that respects the inalienable rights to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” of all people.

I’m in the process of wrapping up a long-term project, but as soon as the New Year begins, I have a lot of exciting things planned for The Good in Us and I cannot wait to share them with you.

Many of you say I help keep you grounded, sane, and hopeful and I wanted to let you know that you do the same for me, exponentially. Your comments have been gracious, generous, and enormously heartening during what has been another challenging year.

In large part because of all of you, I’m heading into the new year feeling more positive, more optimistic, and (dare I say) more hopeful than I’ve been in recent years.

Wishing you joy, peace, and love.

As we embark on a year full of optimism, no matter how hard that may seem, I am so grateful to have you by my side.

If you’re interested in joining my efforts to leverage optimism as a powerful political tool to protect democracy, and win victories for all American in 2024, please become a paying supporter here if you haven’t already:

In solidarity,

-Mary