The pressure to be unlike people we despise
Can "them" liking chocolate ice cream make us like it less?
Defusing American Anger: A depolarization endeavor
Thoughts for people interested in reducing political toxicity and us-vs-them thinking. By Zachary Elwood, author of "Defusing American Anger" and "How Contempt Destroys Democracy," and host of the psych podcast People Who Read People.
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Latest episodes
Talks on polarization: Media appearances by me, Zach Elwood, in 2025 and 2026
Some recent podcast/media appearances on polarization/conflict-related topics
On Sam Harris's refusal to debate Israel-critics — and how that relates to toxic conflict
Conflict leads us to be overly pessimistic about our opponents—which in turn can amplify toxicity
"When I first saw your work, I rolled my eyes." On skepticism about reducing us-vs-them thinking.
Serious conflict inevitably leads to a widespread instinct to scoff at conflict-reduction efforts. To escape the toxic conflict spiral, we must see that instinct as part of our problem.
Working on a new book about reading people
Do you have interesting stories from your life or job of reading people and making useful deductions?
I work on reducing political contempt — and yet I have contempt for Trump. Is that a contradiction?
Polarization means there will be much contempt and anger. The question is what we do with those feelings.
Learn how news platform Aemula hopes to reduce polarization
A visual demo of Aemula from its visionary creator Don Templeman
Groups in conflict inevitably have differences. Recognizing this can lower our contempt.
This is not a chess game; groups have different ways of moving.
A Short Course for Navigating and Defusing Toxic Conflict
Resources for those who wish to disagree and advocate in healthier, less polarizing ways or mediate others' toxic conflicts
Like my polarization work? Vote for me in this essay contest
Contest ends at midnight tonight; appreciate your help