The upheaval since Jan. 20 has been no less than seismic. It’s been a whirlwind, with tensions running high, communities divided, and a sense of uncertainty hanging in the air. Many are feeling exhausted, frustrated, and overwhelmed, while trying to make sense of the rapid changes.
But amid this storm, I offer a word of caution: How we react matters just as much as what we react to.
In the past, I have subscribed to the notion that “if you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” But now I’m not sure that’s true. Outrage can be the metric of whether you care. But it shouldn’t be. To worship outrage in this way is to worship a false idol.
When anger is brought into the dynamics of an interaction, it is met with anger. Fire meets fire. Heated emotions cloud judgment, escalate conflicts, and push people further into their own echo chambers. Instead of dialogue, we get division. Instead of progress, we get gridlock.
We’ve seen this play out in our own legislative halls. Shouting matches in Congress, viral moments of lawmakers storming out of hearings, and political grandstanding have all too often replaced thoughtful debate. In state legislatures, anger has fueled rushed policies, walkouts, and even physical altercations — moments that make headlines but rarely lead to solutions. And, at its worst, political rage has boiled over into violence — both inside and outside government buildings.
Science backs up what we’ve long suspected: anger hijacks our thinking. When we’re in a state of rage, our brains prioritize immediate reaction over reasoned response. The amygdala takes over, flooding us with stress hormones, while the prefrontal cortex — the part responsible for rational decision-making — gets shoved aside. In short, we are quite literally not thinking straight.
As the great leader who changed a nation of about 340 million people at the time, Mahatma Gandhi, once said, “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.”
Kicking outrage to the curb doesn’t preclude taking action. We can make things happen, through diligence, not indignation. A good example is the effort to incorporate North Lake Tahoe. Through my years here, I’ve often heard frustration expressed about some decision or another: “Darn those rule makers down the hill! We should be our own town/county.” There’s grumbling, harrumphing, even some choice words.
However, the action to make this a reality takes more guts than mouthing off — it takes research, careful consideration, persistent action. A committee of nine is moving the needle. There’s much to be done and it’s not a sure thing, but it’s closer than it’s ever been.
Here’s a thought exercise: What role did outsized emotion play in the feature news story?
Upset at what’s happening in the world? By all means, speak up. Protest. Call your representatives. Push back. But don’t lose your head. Leave anger at the door and bring something more powerful: clarity, commitment, and a willingness to listen. That is the surest path to resolution.
