Did you know that we get a pleasurable kick out of feeling outraged? Moral outrage affects us very much like sugar does: it makes us feel good. The secret is the reward chemical dopamine that’s released in our brains when we feel outraged by something. Social media platforms know this and use it to make sure we get increasingly addicted to the outrage. So do news media outlets. Yes, there’s a ton to be outraged about, but then that can lead to outrage-fatigue, so when a movement or issue that requires our steady commitment and involvement arises, we’re too burnt out to rally around it. The best antidote is stillness. Before reacting to the presence of either a candy bar or a tweet, pause. Stillness is your greatest ally. Ask whether it’s vital for you to react at all. Take a deep breath. Getting on a high horse of moral righteousness and indignation will not sway the populace. The extensive research shows that outraged people stick with their own outraged people. There’s no dialog, no attempt to listen or debate, and certainly no compassion nor interest in opposing viewpoints—on either side. Take another deep breath. Decide where to focus your outrage and what you want to accomplish by it, besides just getting a rush of reward pleasure inspired by all that lovely dopamine in your brain. Be still. Use outrage for inspiration and action—not for pleasure. That’s how we can make the difference.
