RT Reclaim The Net (@ReclaimTheNetHQ)Lucy Connolly, jailed last year for a social media post, says UK officials have blocked her from traveling to the US to speak about free expression.She’s out of prison but under MAPPA Level 3, the same system used for terrorists, and must seek permission for every public appearance.“We don’t have free speech,” she said. “We have free speech as long as your political opinions and your political views align with the current government.” ...

Polarization & Its Drivers - Polarization is defined as a movement towards extremes, eroding the moderate center where common ground is typically found [2] - The increasing polarization in society is not primarily driven by policy differences, but by profound differences in emotional understanding, specifically one's affective sense of the world [6][12] - Fear, as a primal emotion, is a significant driver of these divisions, influencing individuals' sense of safety and danger [8] Mitigation Strategies: The Three C's - The industry suggests a three-pronged approach to mitigate polarization: Connect, Curate, and Cultivate [13] - Connect: Emphasizes connecting to one's ethics and values such as integrity, dignity, honesty, and kindness [13] - Curate: Advocates for curating exposure to information, particularly on social media, which is identified as a causal factor in conflict due to algorithms designed to maximize engagement through moral outrage [14][15] - Cultivate: Highlights the importance of community, compassion, curiosity, and appreciation, encouraging individuals to engage in conversations with those holding differing viewpoints [17] The Role of Social Media - Research indicates that social media is not merely correlated with conflict but is causal, driven by algorithms and corporate interests that prioritize engagement through moral outrage [14][15] - Social media algorithms are designed to keep users engaged by tapping into deep-seated fears and presenting the world as a dangerous place, rewarding moral outrage [16] Connection & Empathy - Finding emotional empathy and connecting with others on emotional realities, even without agreeing on facts, is key to navigating polarized times [18][19] - Listening first and finding common ground are crucial for meaningful connection and appreciation, even when coming from different standpoints [17][18]