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The \u201cCall a Democrat\u201d pay phone sits outside of Seven and One Books in Abilene, Texas. <\/p>\n
(Logan Ivey \/ Matter Neuroscience)<\/p>\n
Neuroscientists know that fighting with people who hold different views leads to the release of cortisol in the brain, which increases stress, Matter co-founder Ben Goldhirsh explained. On the other hand, engaging in non-hateful, human-to-human conversation activates happiness-boosting neurotransmitters such as dopamine and cannabinoids, he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to see what would happen when people had the chance to connect with people directly \u2014 would they choose to argue and fight, or would they choose to find common ground?\u201d Goldhirsh said. \u201c[Would they choose] the release of cortisol or the release of cannabinoids?\u201d<\/p>\n
Much to researchers\u2019 delight, the vast majority of callers have chosen to seek common ground. The project launched lateSunday afternoon, and by Thursday evening researchers had recorded more than 150 conversations and voicemails.<\/p>\n
So far the topics callers have discussed have run the gamut, including hobbies, culture and world events, Goldhirsh said. Many callers are rejecting the dichotomy of Republican and Democratic labels and are finding they have similar concerns about the state of the nation and economy.<\/p>\n
In one recording, Steve \u2014 a San Francisco man who identifies as a liberal \u2014 asks, \u201cAre you a Republican?\u201d to a mother of four in Abilene. <\/p>\n
She quickly responds \u201cYes, I am,\u201d but then a moment later says, \u201cWell, no, hmm, ummm, [I\u2019m] probably an independent I would say as I\u2019ve gotten older.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve then asks her if she sees the world as being as crazy as he does, to which she says, \u201cI do. It\u2019s really worse and worse every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSee? We have so much in common!\u201d he responds.<\/p>\n
This type of dialogue doesn\u2019t surprise UCLA political science professor Chris Tausanovitch, who wrote a book on the polarization in American politics. <\/p>\n
He said that while people often assume they won\u2019t get along with a member of the opposite political party, the average American holds more moderate political views than their elected representatives. <\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the dislike of the other party arises because we don\u2019t like the public stances of whichever party we\u2019re not aligned with,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you\u2019re a Democrat, you associate Republicans with the stances of people like Donald Trump, but it turns out that most people are not as extreme as the stereotype of their political party would suggest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Addressing the problem of polarization in politics will require significant effort from both parties, Tausanovitch said, but experiments like the phone booth are a fantastic way to get people talking across the aisle.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a good feeling from talking to another human and realizing they\u2019re human,\u201d he said, \u201cand you actually can learn that there\u2019s a tendency for people not to be as different as you assume that they are in terms of real policy and beliefs.\u201d<\/p>\n
From a mental health expert\u2019s perspective, Goldhirsh said he was not surprised that the majority of the conversations have been positive, inquisitive and often led to heartwarming discoveries of shared interests and experiences. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are complex, nuanced individuals,\u201d Goldhirsh said, \u201cand really enjoy engaging as such and do it with a real sort of kindness and curiosity when given that chance.\u201d<\/p>\n