Why Liberals Should Maintain and Grow Space on Conservative Platforms
In today's polarized media landscape, the idea of liberals engaging on conservative platforms may seem counterintuitive or even futile. However, maintaining and expanding space within these spaces is crucial for a variety of reasons, ranging from fostering dialogue to planting the seeds of dissent that may challenge ideological rigidity over time. The key is not necessarily to engage in direct debates, but rather to subtly introduce perspectives, facts, and alternative narratives that encourage critical thinking among audiences who may not otherwise be exposed to them.
The Importance of Liberal Presence on Conservative Platforms
1. Breaking Echo Chambers – Conservative platforms often operate as ideological echo chambers, where confirmation bias is reinforced by a lack of diverse perspectives. A liberal presence disrupts this cycle by offering alternative viewpoints, even in small doses.
2. Normalizing Opposition – When conservatives only see exaggerated caricatures of liberal ideas presented by right-wing media, they are less likely to consider them seriously. A reasonable, rational liberal presence humanizes the "other side" and makes leftist arguments more palatable.
3. Influencing the Fence-Sitters – Not all conservative platform users are hardcore partisans. Many are moderates, independents, or young conservatives still forming their views. Even a single compelling post can introduce doubt or curiosity, which over time may lead to shifts in perspective.
4. Cognitive Dissonance as a Tool – When individuals encounter facts or narratives that conflict with their beliefs, they experience cognitive dissonance. While some may react defensively, others will subconsciously process the contradiction, making them more open to change in the long run.
Planting Seeds of Dissent: Strategies for Maximum Impact
Given the often hostile nature of conservative spaces toward dissenting views, direct engagement can be exhausting and counterproductive. Instead, a more effective approach is to subtly introduce disruptive ideas without requiring prolonged debate. Here’s how:
1. The "Post and Leave" Strategy
Instead of engaging in back-and-forth arguments, drop a thought-provoking comment or post and let others grapple with it. This avoids exhausting personal energy while still leaving a lingering influence on the conversation.
• Example: Posting a verifiable statistic that contradicts a common conservative talking point without engaging further.
2. Framing with Common Ground
Instead of attacking conservative beliefs outright, frame arguments using values they already hold.
• Example: Instead of saying, "We need higher taxes on the rich," say, "Hardworking small business owners pay more in taxes than billionaires. Does that seem fair?"
3. Asking Strategic Questions
Rather than making declarative statements, posing open-ended questions forces individuals to think through their stance.
• Example: "If the free market is the best solution for healthcare, why does the U.S. spend more per capita than any other country but still have worse outcomes?"
4. Leveraging Conservative Infighting
Exposing contradictions within conservative ideology can create internal debates, which are more persuasive than external challenges.
• Example: Highlighting disagreements between libertarians and social conservatives on government overreach.
5. Using Anecdotes Over Data (When Necessary)
While data is powerful, conservatives are often more persuaded by personal stories.
• Example: Instead of just citing statistics on universal healthcare, sharing a story about someone who went bankrupt due to medical bills can have a greater emotional impact.
6. Emphasizing Hypocrisy and Inconsistency
Pointing out contradictions in conservative thought can be effective, especially when it aligns with their existing skepticism of institutions.
• Example: "If you don’t trust the government to regulate business, why trust it to regulate personal morality?"
Conclusion: Playing the Long Game
Liberals who engage in conservative spaces should not expect instant conversions or dramatic confrontations leading to epiphanies. Instead, the goal is to introduce small cracks in rigid belief systems, which may widen over time as individuals encounter new information. By strategically planting seeds of dissent and avoiding unproductive arguments, liberals can slowly erode ideological walls and encourage a more open-minded approach to political discourse. The key is consistency, patience, and a keen understanding of human psychology.
There's a feed with all our recent episodes, but there's also a tab at the top for Good Morning and a separate one for More to Say and you can get them there. I'm working on a quick tutorial for everyone that should be ready to post early tomorrow that will hopefully answer some of the 'how to substack' questions! -Maggie
Hi from a Patreon user on the other side of the river, in Cincinnati! I hate all the systems if I'm being honest (LOL) but I LOVE you two and am excited to transition to SS/find the new groove. Got the premium stuff synced to Spotify, which will likely make me a more reliable premium content consumer. Easy! Happily upgraded from my $5/month to an annual payment.
Thank you for your transparency and attempt to make this complicated transition as easy as possible! As a business owner who recently launched a subscription (with less success than I'd hoped), I understand the need for consistent funding to keep your lights on! Grateful for all you do. May we all survive the next 1-2 months with some sanity intact.
I love how you streamlined your subscription. I am now a bona fide paid member (again) and happy to support your work. Looking forward to accessing more content each week. Now all I need to do is get more acquainted with Substack -- been on here for a bit but haven't done much. Hello all!
I'm excited to start the day with the Good News from Sarah, and I'm getting better at navigating substack after spending a little bit of time yesterday on the site and app and tinkering with notifications. I'm very excited for the (I think you said this) VIDEO Spicy More to Say coming our way today. 🎉
Just came over from Patreon and LOVE these ladies and their community so much. Honestly couldn’t imagine navigating this world without them. THANK YOU for what you do!!
So I can see the podcast episodes on Podbean but not the premium episodes. Do I need to use Spotify? Which means I need a subscription there to avoid the ads?
Apparently my previously-used Substack email address was different from the email address I used on Patreon, and I didn't realize it until after I re-subscribed here. Hopefully that's not going to mess anything up - I will watch my credit card just in case.
Hi! Apparently, I paid 165.60/yr on Patreon and honestly, I do not know when I did . Weirdly, I thought I was paying $15 a month, but that is less, so I am confused but also I did not get an email and did not put new credit card information in because I was not asked to when I jumped over to Substack to view todays message.
I don’t want to in advertently double subscribe. Thoughts?
So excited that you are moving everything here! I was a patreon monthly subscriber and a Different Approach to the Newsletter substack annual subscriber (I had actually liked the additional opportunity to support you financially since I can't quite swing a producer's subscription).
Looks like I got moved over and comped my month from patreon, but I'm wondering what the plan is for the old newsletter substack subscriptions?
Hey Stephanie, great question! We had a feeling most of the original Substack subscribers had doubled up :) Feel free to either let me know here or shoot the Pantsuit team an email with which tier of support you prefer here on the new home - we'll get you sorted out!
Hmmm...I've already set up my monthly subscription here once the free month ends so that is taken care of. Just not sure what to do with my outstanding annual subscription on the old newsletter substack? Should I just cancel that (it says it is currently paused)?
I have zero idea if this is where to get this question answered, so I appreciate your patience if this is the wrong place: how can I get the good news brief straight to my phone as I got it w patreon? I don't want to have to open subatack and search for it (wa-wa, I know). I just want the alert where I click and wa-la there is Sarah w GNBrief or Beth with MTSay. Is that possible Sunstack? Could Baily from Substack help?
Do I need to Apple pay at this time? Don’t mind to pay in advance as long as start date begins when current subscription runs out. Not sure when that is, still searching for that.
Hey Kathy! Bailey from Substack here :) Stripe's still updating all comp dates and yours should be accurately reflected by early next week. Confirming you won't be charged till the comp runs out, but please go ahead and update your payment info for the Pantsuit team. I would recommend NOT using Apple Pay and instead paying with your CC on mobile web or desktop — Apple taxes a cut of anything through Apple Pay!
Why Liberals Should Maintain and Grow Space on Conservative Platforms
In today's polarized media landscape, the idea of liberals engaging on conservative platforms may seem counterintuitive or even futile. However, maintaining and expanding space within these spaces is crucial for a variety of reasons, ranging from fostering dialogue to planting the seeds of dissent that may challenge ideological rigidity over time. The key is not necessarily to engage in direct debates, but rather to subtly introduce perspectives, facts, and alternative narratives that encourage critical thinking among audiences who may not otherwise be exposed to them.
The Importance of Liberal Presence on Conservative Platforms
1. Breaking Echo Chambers – Conservative platforms often operate as ideological echo chambers, where confirmation bias is reinforced by a lack of diverse perspectives. A liberal presence disrupts this cycle by offering alternative viewpoints, even in small doses.
2. Normalizing Opposition – When conservatives only see exaggerated caricatures of liberal ideas presented by right-wing media, they are less likely to consider them seriously. A reasonable, rational liberal presence humanizes the "other side" and makes leftist arguments more palatable.
3. Influencing the Fence-Sitters – Not all conservative platform users are hardcore partisans. Many are moderates, independents, or young conservatives still forming their views. Even a single compelling post can introduce doubt or curiosity, which over time may lead to shifts in perspective.
4. Cognitive Dissonance as a Tool – When individuals encounter facts or narratives that conflict with their beliefs, they experience cognitive dissonance. While some may react defensively, others will subconsciously process the contradiction, making them more open to change in the long run.
Planting Seeds of Dissent: Strategies for Maximum Impact
Given the often hostile nature of conservative spaces toward dissenting views, direct engagement can be exhausting and counterproductive. Instead, a more effective approach is to subtly introduce disruptive ideas without requiring prolonged debate. Here’s how:
1. The "Post and Leave" Strategy
Instead of engaging in back-and-forth arguments, drop a thought-provoking comment or post and let others grapple with it. This avoids exhausting personal energy while still leaving a lingering influence on the conversation.
• Example: Posting a verifiable statistic that contradicts a common conservative talking point without engaging further.
2. Framing with Common Ground
Instead of attacking conservative beliefs outright, frame arguments using values they already hold.
• Example: Instead of saying, "We need higher taxes on the rich," say, "Hardworking small business owners pay more in taxes than billionaires. Does that seem fair?"
3. Asking Strategic Questions
Rather than making declarative statements, posing open-ended questions forces individuals to think through their stance.
• Example: "If the free market is the best solution for healthcare, why does the U.S. spend more per capita than any other country but still have worse outcomes?"
4. Leveraging Conservative Infighting
Exposing contradictions within conservative ideology can create internal debates, which are more persuasive than external challenges.
• Example: Highlighting disagreements between libertarians and social conservatives on government overreach.
5. Using Anecdotes Over Data (When Necessary)
While data is powerful, conservatives are often more persuaded by personal stories.
• Example: Instead of just citing statistics on universal healthcare, sharing a story about someone who went bankrupt due to medical bills can have a greater emotional impact.
6. Emphasizing Hypocrisy and Inconsistency
Pointing out contradictions in conservative thought can be effective, especially when it aligns with their existing skepticism of institutions.
• Example: "If you don’t trust the government to regulate business, why trust it to regulate personal morality?"
Conclusion: Playing the Long Game
Liberals who engage in conservative spaces should not expect instant conversions or dramatic confrontations leading to epiphanies. Instead, the goal is to introduce small cracks in rigid belief systems, which may widen over time as individuals encounter new information. By strategically planting seeds of dissent and avoiding unproductive arguments, liberals can slowly erode ideological walls and encourage a more open-minded approach to political discourse. The key is consistency, patience, and a keen understanding of human psychology.
• Festinger, L. (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford University Press. Available at: https://archive.org/details/FestingerLeonATheoryOfCognitiveDissonance1968StanfordUniversityPress
• Harmon-Jones, E. (2019). Cognitive Dissonance: Re-examining a Pivotal Theory in Psychology. American Psychological Association. [URL not available]
• Cooper, J. (2007). Cognitive Dissonance: Fifty Years of a Classic Theory. Sage Publications. Available at: https://msp1021.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/8/4/11840812/5._cooper_-_cognitive_dissonance-_fitiy_years_of_a_classic_theory.pdf
• Florentine, E. (2016, July 1). 11 Tips for Confronting a Liar & Figuring Out the Truth. Bustle. Retrieved from https://www.bustle.com/articles/169825-11-tips-for-confronting-a-liar-figuring-out-the-truth
It seriously IS the best community!!!!
I’ve loved you girls for years and will continue to follow you here. Thank you for everything you do to keep us informed.
Where do we go to see the news brief and more to say?
Hi Julia! If you navigate to our homepage here: https://pantsuitpolitics.substack.com/
There's a feed with all our recent episodes, but there's also a tab at the top for Good Morning and a separate one for More to Say and you can get them there. I'm working on a quick tutorial for everyone that should be ready to post early tomorrow that will hopefully answer some of the 'how to substack' questions! -Maggie
Thanks!
Hi from a Patreon user on the other side of the river, in Cincinnati! I hate all the systems if I'm being honest (LOL) but I LOVE you two and am excited to transition to SS/find the new groove. Got the premium stuff synced to Spotify, which will likely make me a more reliable premium content consumer. Easy! Happily upgraded from my $5/month to an annual payment.
Thank you for your transparency and attempt to make this complicated transition as easy as possible! As a business owner who recently launched a subscription (with less success than I'd hoped), I understand the need for consistent funding to keep your lights on! Grateful for all you do. May we all survive the next 1-2 months with some sanity intact.
and OMG you *ARE* my political therapists, I've never heard you refer to yourselves that way but it's 100.
I love how you streamlined your subscription. I am now a bona fide paid member (again) and happy to support your work. Looking forward to accessing more content each week. Now all I need to do is get more acquainted with Substack -- been on here for a bit but haven't done much. Hello all!
Welcome! We're so delighted to have you back!!!
I'm excited to start the day with the Good News from Sarah, and I'm getting better at navigating substack after spending a little bit of time yesterday on the site and app and tinkering with notifications. I'm very excited for the (I think you said this) VIDEO Spicy More to Say coming our way today. 🎉
Just came over from Patreon and LOVE these ladies and their community so much. Honestly couldn’t imagine navigating this world without them. THANK YOU for what you do!!
So I can see the podcast episodes on Podbean but not the premium episodes. Do I need to use Spotify? Which means I need a subscription there to avoid the ads?
Congrats on the move! Sarah, I hope that you're holding up with this move - not on a Monday or the first of the month 😉
Apparently my previously-used Substack email address was different from the email address I used on Patreon, and I didn't realize it until after I re-subscribed here. Hopefully that's not going to mess anything up - I will watch my credit card just in case.
Hi! Apparently, I paid 165.60/yr on Patreon and honestly, I do not know when I did . Weirdly, I thought I was paying $15 a month, but that is less, so I am confused but also I did not get an email and did not put new credit card information in because I was not asked to when I jumped over to Substack to view todays message.
I don’t want to in advertently double subscribe. Thoughts?
Thank you for the welcome, Beth and Sarah. I'm thrilled to now be a subscribing listener.
So excited that you are moving everything here! I was a patreon monthly subscriber and a Different Approach to the Newsletter substack annual subscriber (I had actually liked the additional opportunity to support you financially since I can't quite swing a producer's subscription).
Looks like I got moved over and comped my month from patreon, but I'm wondering what the plan is for the old newsletter substack subscriptions?
Hey Stephanie, great question! We had a feeling most of the original Substack subscribers had doubled up :) Feel free to either let me know here or shoot the Pantsuit team an email with which tier of support you prefer here on the new home - we'll get you sorted out!
Hmmm...I've already set up my monthly subscription here once the free month ends so that is taken care of. Just not sure what to do with my outstanding annual subscription on the old newsletter substack? Should I just cancel that (it says it is currently paused)?
I have zero idea if this is where to get this question answered, so I appreciate your patience if this is the wrong place: how can I get the good news brief straight to my phone as I got it w patreon? I don't want to have to open subatack and search for it (wa-wa, I know). I just want the alert where I click and wa-la there is Sarah w GNBrief or Beth with MTSay. Is that possible Sunstack? Could Baily from Substack help?
Hi Renee, happy to! If you check out this post and scroll towards the bottom, I made a video of how to connect the podcast to whatever podcast app you use: https://pantsuitpolitics.substack.com/p/join-pantsuit-politics-on-substack
Let me know if that doesn't work for you
Do I need to Apple pay at this time? Don’t mind to pay in advance as long as start date begins when current subscription runs out. Not sure when that is, still searching for that.
Thank you!
Hey Kathy! Bailey from Substack here :) Stripe's still updating all comp dates and yours should be accurately reflected by early next week. Confirming you won't be charged till the comp runs out, but please go ahead and update your payment info for the Pantsuit team. I would recommend NOT using Apple Pay and instead paying with your CC on mobile web or desktop — Apple taxes a cut of anything through Apple Pay!
Dang!! Wish I’d read this before starting my annual subscription using apple pay. Can I undo and redo with a CC or is this a done deal?
Me too