Stop Flooding the Zone (Pt 1)
Let's move from reaction to action.
Bottom Line Up Front: The MAGA GOP enacts its agenda by keeping left-of-MAGA folks outraged or disengaged due to overwhelm. To the greatest extent possible, we must individually and jointly “clear the zone” of this overwhelm to enable action.
Audience: People who are to the left of MAGA in media, elected office, and the public.
Context: Steve Bannon declared the MAGA GOP’s intention to “flood the zone” with news and information, dubious or otherwise, to overwhelm the public, prevent a unified and coherent opposition, and thus achieve the goals of Project 2025. Notably, much of this zone flooding is coming from many left-of-MAGA folks.(1)
Purpose: This piece aims to reduce instances of flooding the zone from the left and offers approaches for more constructive communication.
Case Studies: Below is a non-comprehensive list of some less-than-great takes along with recommendations for how to improve them.
Recommendation: Above all, what is recommended is a “clear the zone” approach whereby the doom-and-gloom news of the day is processed quickly so that useful, relevant information and opportunities for pro-social action are more available to all.
Case Studies in Flooding the Zone
1. “Orange man bad!”
What makes it bad: It is an unsubstantive, ad-hominem attack that makes us look mean and unprincipled since, surely, if we had principles, we’d stand for them rather than taking cheap shots.(2)
What to say instead: “I’m really upset about the state of our country and I don’t know what to do. Can someone suggest an action or two I can take right now?”
What to do instead: Call your representatives! Tell them how you feel!
2. “Get Elon out of America!”
What makes it bad: It’s an anti-immigrant message. It’s gross to demand American immigrants comply with your political views lest they be deemed unAmerican by you. His country of origin is not at issue; his actions are.
What to say instead: “I’m outraged by Elon’s gutting of our needed government institutions. How can I help mitigate the damage?”
What to do instead: Help a federal worker who’s lost their job. Save open-source data you’re worried may become no longer available.
3. “Democracy is over! We’re living in an autocracy!”
What makes it bad: It is demoralizing. It is demotivating. It tells people they may as well give up since we’ve already lost what we’re fighting for. Also, it’s abstract.
What to say instead: “I’m worried about how people have been denied due process, which we have a right to as Americans. I value our democracy and want to promote, protect, and where necessary, re-establish our democratic norms.”
What to do instead: Get involved! Attend a town hall. Protest the issue.
4. “LOL, this Republican is such a loser!”
What makes it bad: It’s juvenile. We’re not in high school. It doesn’t matter.
What to say instead: “X GOP person did YZ, which is harmful due to ABC reason.
What to do instead: Volunteer for a campaign. Run for office! Talk to your neighbors.
5. “We are living in The Handmaid’s Tale!”
What makes it bad: It comes across as hyperbolic since, no, we’re not. Speaking of a fictional story as if it’s real suggests that reality isn’t cause enough for concern, which undermines the criticism of our current reality.
What to say instead: “I’m passionate about women’s rights and healthcare. I’m concerned about XYZ since it will have ABC effect on these matters.”
What to do instead: Talk to and support people in the real physical world. Share educational materials and resources with people affected by the policy at hand.
6. “Regretful MAGA voters, I told you so!”
What makes it bad: It lacks empathy and shuts down discourse. It misunderstands how people get and process information. It’s most likely untrue since my guess is the speaker hasn’t told every regretful MAGA voter they told them so.(3)
What to say instead: Nothing! Alternative: “I’m resentful of you for voting MAGA given how your decision impacts me. Right now, I have nothing nice to say to you about it. I hope you find someone who’ll lend a more sympathetic ear.”
What to do instead: Keep scrolling. Call someone to vent to.
Analysis
How These Messages “Flood the Zone”
They sow more despair and hopelessness, which we don’t need right now.
They block access to vital information by diluting our information and communications environment.
They discourage real action, which we do need now.
They are not informative since they’re neither novel nor specific on their own.
What It Means to “Clear the Zone”
While “flooding the zone” involves causing overwhelm, anxiety, and despair, “clearing the zone” neutralizes the onslaught of bad news, so we can move past reaction and towards action.
This strategy requires individuals who practice it to be adaptive and vigilant.
It can be performed at any time by anyone and targeted at anyone.
It encourages problem-solving.
It promotes a practical, proactive mindset.
How to “Clear the Zone”
Be specific and concise: Here’s what happened. Here’s what we can do about it.
Lead with empathy and kindness. Lifting up > Putting down.
Consider and connect with people in real life, and/or directly if also virtually, as much as possible.(4)
Be focused and pragmatic: Panic doesn’t help people; helping people helps people.(5)
Caveats
The purpose of “clearing the zone” is not to shame or dismiss anyone’s voices. Instead, it’s a tool to encourage constructive engagement when applicable.(6)
As with anything, especially online, this concept will surely be misapplied in some cases. That is inevitable and does not invalidate its broader goal.
It’s not intended as a one-size-fits-all solution, nor does it apply to every instance a zone-flooding take is expressed.
Conclusion: Much of the zone-flooding from the left seems to be due to many left-of-MAGA folks’ refusal to accept reality. The reality is that the MAGA GOP won in 2024. If we continue fighting yesterday’s battle, we will always lose since we already lost it. However, what we risk losing is today’s and tomorrow’s battles, too.
Obligatory Disclaimer: all views expressed here are my own personal views and do not represent the views of my employer nor those of the U.S. government.
Thank you all for reading and considering my opinion!
Part 2 of this piece will dig deeper into what a “clear the zone” strategy looks like.
Footnotes
(1) Bannon is a skilled propagandist, who likely wants this dynamic. In other words, many self-described “resisters” are playing the exact role Bannon assigned them. Many know this is not ideal, yet they simply do not know how to avoid it.
(2) It’s petty, which could be funny, except it’s not funny.
(3) It’s self-serving and self-centered. While you sit up there on your high horse, most people down here on the ground are suffering. Additionally, I’d suggest trying to be better in your deeds and you won’t need to insist you are with your words!
(4) Feelings like anger, frustration, and grief are often best processed through direct connection with other living beings, rather than with a computer or phone screen. If you don’t have anyone to talk to, reach out! I can lend an ear or try to connect you with someone who can :)
(5) Please take the time and effort to improve your takes. You can do it! Since I need to clarify this in our irony-saturated internet age— I’m not being sarcastic when I say you can do it. Also, of course, it is easier said than done. Give yourself and everyone else grace!
(6) There is a ton of helpful, practical, actionable information out there. That said, the zone is so flooded with negativity it’s hard to find much of the time.