Fandom and Polarization in Online Political Discussion

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Focusing on the emotional aspects of political discourse, the book explores how a fan-like commitment to political views fuels polarization in online discussions. Through three years of Facebook observations, interviews, and surveys, the author argues that participants engage in a performance of self, prioritizing identity over rational debate. This affective investment leads to a need to assert one's perspective and dismiss opposing views, challenging traditional notions of deliberative political discussion. The insights call for a reevaluation of how we understand political engagement in the digital age.