A Tale of Two Talks: A Lesson in Biases
If you’ve been paying attention to social media or the news recently, you might have noticed two commencement speeches that stirred quite a bit of controversy.
First, Harrison Butker spoke to graduates at Benedictine College, a Catholic institution. Butker’s speech touched on topics like motherhood, fatherhood, and societal issues, subjects that would have been mainstream not long ago but are now seen as controversial. Despite this, Butker received a standing ovation from both graduates and parents, clearly resonating with his audience.
President Joe Biden also gave a commencement, addressing graduates at Morehouse College, a historically black college known for its most famous graduate, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Biden’s speech was criticized for focusing more on his personal tragedies and political agenda rather than the graduates.
The reactions to these speeches were telling. Butker’s talk was praised by conservatives, while Biden’s address found favor with liberals. This polarized reception highlighted an important issue: we are all living in echo chambers.
As I scrolled through social media comments about each speech, it became apparent that many opinions were formed without watching either talk. People relied on soundbites and headlines that reinforced their existing beliefs. Conservative friends lauded Butker, while liberal friends applauded Biden. The pattern was clear: our biases shape our perceptions more than we might realize.
The media’s role in this can’t be ignored. Conservative outlets like Fox News praised Butker and criticized Biden, while liberal outlets like MSNBC and CNN did the opposite. This selective reporting further deepened the divide.
So, what can we learn from this?
- Go to the Source: Before forming an opinion or commenting on an issue, watch or read the original source. In this case, watching both speeches would provide a fuller perspective than relying on snippets. Here is the link to Butker’s talk. You can see Biden’s speech here.
- Recognize Biases: Understand that everyone, including friends and media outlets, has biases. Acknowledge your own and strive to see beyond them.
- Think Critically: Don’t be swayed by the majority or by emotionally charged soundbites. Take the time to analyze the content and context.
The controversy surrounding these speeches is a reminder of the importance of thinking for ourselves. In a world filled with biased information, the ability to critically evaluate what we see and hear is more crucial than ever.
What are your thoughts? Have you noticed similar patterns in other areas? Share your experiences in the comments.
Edited with ChatGPT
Brian Ahearn
Brian Ahearn is the Chief Influence Officer at Influence PEOPLE and a faculty member at the Cialdini Institute. An author, TEDx presenter, international speaker, coach, and consultant, Brian helps clients apply influence in everyday situations to boost results.
As one of only a dozen Cialdini Method Certified Trainers in the world, Brian was personally trained and endorsed by Robert Cialdini, Ph.D., the most cited living social psychologist on the science of ethical influence.
Brian’s first book, Influence PEOPLE, was named one of the 100 Best Influence Books of All Time by Book Authority. Persuasive Selling for Relationship Driven Insurance Agents was an Amazon new release bestseller. His latest book, The Influencer, is a business parable designed to teach you how to use influence in everyday situations.
Brian’s LinkedIn courses on persuasive selling and coaching have been viewed by over 700,000 people around the world and his TEDx Talk on pre-suasion has more than a million views!
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