1 hr 2 min

This is Middle Theory Middle Theory

    • Politics

This week, we ask how we became so polarized, and look at the underlying reasons for division in our culture in a discussion about the meaning behind the "Middle Theory."  
Can't we all just get along? What are the roots of the conflicts we see in the world around us... from the geopolitical stage, to our neighborhoods and communities? Although polls over the years offer mixed results, a recurring theme is that voters often tend to be more moderate than the politicians they vote for. Why, then, does there appear to be so much polarization in society, both in politics, and in other areas of life? One result has been that many profess to be politically independent, entirely apolitical, or political "centrists" in an attempt to avoid the polarized viewpoints that so often predominate discussions in the media. And yet, an analysis of the range of ways people define "centrism" even gets confused... how can we have a discussion over the merits, or lack thereof, of a political philosophy when no one seems to agree on a definition for it? This has been one of the long-running themes of the Middle Theory podcast, and one that we explore in depth on this special edition of the podcast. This... is Middle Theory. 
UKRAINE FUND: Support Ukraine Relief
DOLLARS FOR DONUTS A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:
Jon Haskins Victoria Pinderski Jonathan Taylor John Lipartito James Malone If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

  We also offer SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 
SHOW NOTES CAWTHORN: Madison Cawthorn says 'blackmail won't win' after nude video surfaces MYSTERY MUSK: Elon Musk fans concerned after billionaire writes chilling post on Twitter about dying 'under mysterious circumstances  FED: Fed raises rates by half a percentage point — the biggest hike in two decades — to fight inflation  NO JOKE: “Nobody's Safe”: Dave Chappelle Attack Raises Concerns for Performers POLARIZED: This Is The Reason American Politics Are So Polarized How Politics Got So Polarized | The New Yorker EVIDENCE: How Polarized are Citizens? Measuring Ideology from the Ground-Up Cross-Country Trends in Affective Polarization  CENTRIST MISCONCEPTIONS: The Problem with Balance: My Issue with Centrism Why You Shouldn't be a Centrist | YIP Institute   The Impossibility of Centrism - The Atlantic  THE MIDDLE WAY: Middle Way - Wikipedia JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY
To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program.

This week, we ask how we became so polarized, and look at the underlying reasons for division in our culture in a discussion about the meaning behind the "Middle Theory."  
Can't we all just get along? What are the roots of the conflicts we see in the world around us... from the geopolitical stage, to our neighborhoods and communities? Although polls over the years offer mixed results, a recurring theme is that voters often tend to be more moderate than the politicians they vote for. Why, then, does there appear to be so much polarization in society, both in politics, and in other areas of life? One result has been that many profess to be politically independent, entirely apolitical, or political "centrists" in an attempt to avoid the polarized viewpoints that so often predominate discussions in the media. And yet, an analysis of the range of ways people define "centrism" even gets confused... how can we have a discussion over the merits, or lack thereof, of a political philosophy when no one seems to agree on a definition for it? This has been one of the long-running themes of the Middle Theory podcast, and one that we explore in depth on this special edition of the podcast. This... is Middle Theory. 
UKRAINE FUND: Support Ukraine Relief
DOLLARS FOR DONUTS A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:
Jon Haskins Victoria Pinderski Jonathan Taylor John Lipartito James Malone If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

  We also offer SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 
SHOW NOTES CAWTHORN: Madison Cawthorn says 'blackmail won't win' after nude video surfaces MYSTERY MUSK: Elon Musk fans concerned after billionaire writes chilling post on Twitter about dying 'under mysterious circumstances  FED: Fed raises rates by half a percentage point — the biggest hike in two decades — to fight inflation  NO JOKE: “Nobody's Safe”: Dave Chappelle Attack Raises Concerns for Performers POLARIZED: This Is The Reason American Politics Are So Polarized How Politics Got So Polarized | The New Yorker EVIDENCE: How Polarized are Citizens? Measuring Ideology from the Ground-Up Cross-Country Trends in Affective Polarization  CENTRIST MISCONCEPTIONS: The Problem with Balance: My Issue with Centrism Why You Shouldn't be a Centrist | YIP Institute   The Impossibility of Centrism - The Atlantic  THE MIDDLE WAY: Middle Way - Wikipedia JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY
To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program.

1 hr 2 min