Is There a Technological Advance That Could Bring Americans Together?

[bondwooley]

Recently, the Pew Research Center reported that the number of Americans with a “highly negative” view of the opposing party has more than doubled in the last 20 years. Americans hate one another more than ever, it seems. And we’re always finding new platforms to express it!

Which, presumably, is part of the problem. Obstructionist Republicans like Ted Cruz routinely turn to their “impressive” list of fanatical Twitter followers to prove that bajillions of Americans stand behind him. As if the highly self-selected sliver-of-the-world that is Ted Cruz’s Twitter feed scientifically represents the beliefs of most Americans. Technology that promised to connect us has instead isolated us, driving us from diversity to safe, homogenized forums and Facebook fan pages.

Has there been any technology developed in the last decade — be it Twitter or Facebook or Healthcare.gov — that hasn’t contributed to America’s expanding hyper-divisiveness?

While we were noodling on that, along came BuyPartisan, a smartphone app that allows shoppers to scan their groceries and figure out what political contributions are being made by the corporations that make them. “We’re trying to make every day election day for people,” said Matthew Colbert, the app developer. Choosing toothpaste can now be an act of political dissent.

Don’t get us wrong: We’re all for transparency, holding corporations responsible and voting with our man-purses. But sometimes we need a break! Or, as Jack Marshall, president of ProEthics, put it, “You don’t want every day to be an election. That’s why we have elections periodically, so people can calm down and work together.” Wanting every day to be an election is the kind of thinking that leads John Boehner to try to sue a sitting president. Can’t we all just get along?

OK, we’ll admit it. We’re probably going to download the free BuyPartisan app. It sounds kind of addicting, walking up and down the grocery aisle and finding out that, ironically, our tea bags actually are pro-Obama (take that, Teabaggers!) and our dish soap doesn’t believe in climate change. But it’s certainly not going to help bridge the gap between the aisles.

Are we doomed to grow further divided? Or is there a way to fight fire with fire? Technology is here to stay, but maybe hyperpartisanship doesn’t have to be! We just have to get those brainy app and tech developers to put their skills to better use. It’s time for them to come up with technology that’ll bring Americans together! Can it happen? What do YOU think?

(Original post, sources and poll at http://lesterandcharlie.com/2014/08/29/miles-of-aisles-of-dissent/)

[Prophet 451]

1. The discovery of an extraterrestrial intelligence

I'd argue that's a technological feat (since it would require either extra-solar exploration or a way of receiving faster-than-light communication) and it would, I believe, unite Americans. In fact, it would unite all nations. We'd no longer be Democrats or Republicans or Americans or Brits but would all become "Earthers". Even if we discovered a civilization that was long dead, the effect would be the same.

[BlindTiresias]

4. Unless the aliens decided they wanted to change earth politics

Then you would see pro-alien and anti-alien factions among humans.

[Prophet 451]

6. Shit, hadn't thought of that n/t

[DBoon]

7. The joke was the only thing that could unite all nations

was an invasion from outer space

[MisterP]

12. or the faking thereof?

[Prophet 451]

15. Yep, that would work too

Although, as the last few pages imply, discovery that it was a fake (through Rorschach's journal) would just set things back the way they were.

[on point]

2. Truth meter required in crawl under every talking head, politician and ad

[bondwooley]

9. But wouldn't it

always be stuck on "zero"?

[Dirty Socialist]

3. Perhaps An Engine That runs on trash/refuse

That could help with the environment and lessen our dependence on Middle East oil.

[BlindTiresias]

5. No

The country is headed for a hard division one way or another.

[Rex]

8. Sure, free energy.

Cheap energy.

[bondwooley]

10. Free energy is

sun and wind, right?

And even that costs money. But, of course, it doesn't make enough money for energy distributors to really care.

[Rex]

11. water running a car, something huge to shift wealth away from simple survival

stuff like that. Though that could lead to other problems. Yeah solar, wind, all kinds of natural ways.

[JEB]

13. Invented a long time ago.

Guillotine.

[bondwooley]

14. Hahaha!

Good answer.