How Performative Outrage Keeps Us Distracted and Divided

Breaking Free from the Outrage Cycle: A Call to Pursue Truth

A digitally distressed graphic representing emotional overload and viral outrage.
I’m frustrated with the state of the world. It feels like nothing in my background prepared me for this—if anything, I was raised to expect something completely different. Like a lot of people, I’m struggling to make sense of how society became so divided, reactive, and exhausting.

What I’ve learned is that outrage on its own is a dead end. You can do one of three things with it: take action, learn to accept and live with what’s upsetting you, or just keep it to yourself. But social media doesn’t work like that. It feeds on outrage, encouraging us to post the same grievances over and over, pretending we’re shocked every time. Trump lied? No kidding, that’s his thing. The GOP did something hypocritical? That’s their entire brand. And yet, we’re trapped in this cycle of performative indignation, as if every example of bad behavior is a brand-new revelation.


The Outrage Machine


Social media makes outrage profitable. Every time you’re encouraged to “like and share” or “put a heart if you care,” it’s about driving clicks, boosting engagement, and making money. And what’s worse, this constant cycle of sharing and reacting makes it feel like you’re doing something meaningful when really, you’re just spinning your wheels.

I’m not saying I’ve got it all figured out—I’m just trying to make sense of things as I go. Outrage keeps us hooked because it feels good in the moment, like you’re part of something. But looking back, I can’t help but wonder how much time I’ve wasted on it. It’s easy to react and much harder to step back and think about what’s actually going on. Memes and snarky posts might feel satisfying for a second, but they don’t fix anything.

The Bigger Picture


It feels like we’re stuck. People are more divided, less willing to listen, and quicker to jump to conclusions. Social media amplifies this, but it’s not the only thing going on. Politics, news, and even everyday conversations seem to follow the same script: repeat the drama, get everyone worked up, and avoid actually solving anything.

I’m not a historian or anything, but it’s pretty clear this isn’t new. Outrage has always been a way to distract and divide people. What’s different now is how fast and far it spreads. The internet has turned outrage into a product, and it’s exhausting. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of it.

A Reality Check for Resistance


If you’re like me and you want to make a difference, it’s worth asking yourself: Are you actually helping? Or are you just feeding the outrage machine? Real change isn’t flashy. It’s slow, frustrating, and often boring. But it’s the only way to build something better.

Independent of politics, we need to challenge lies wherever we find them. Whether it’s about a politician, a product, or a personal claim, lies corrode trust and understanding. We need to promote environments where truth can flourish and prosper, and where lies are challenged and cast down. I believe if we do this, we can create a world that doesn’t so easily fall for con men—a world where standards are restored, and expertise is respected again.

Wrapping It Up


The world feels like a mess, and there’s plenty to be upset about. But outrage on its own doesn’t fix anything. I’m starting to think that the only way forward is to focus on truth. It’s harder and takes more work, but it feels a lot more meaningful. Let’s stop getting sucked into the outrage machine and start focusing on what really matters. We might not change the world overnight, but at least we’ll be moving in the right direction.

 

Image by Craiyon

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