“Differences and similarities are equally as easy to see. It mostly depends on which ones you are seeking to find.” That’s a quote from Doe Zantamata, the author of the “Happiness in Your Life” book series. She writes about happiness, life and personal growth. Maybe that’s why she is happy.

I happen to agree with her. Wholeheartedly. I have written many times how I feel this world would be a better place if we focused more on how we are alike rather than how we are different.

But we don’t. We dwell on our differences. Politics. Race. Gender. Age. Education. Income. All of these things — and many more — divide us. But instead of looking past them and attempting to find more ways to connect, we often celebrate these differences. We put signs in our yards. We wear T-shirts. We march in parades. Special events, scholarships and discounts even exist for people who fall in certain categories. Why?

I understand having pride in who you are. I also understand driving a wedge between people. We, as Americans, seem to struggle to do one without involving the other.

Time magazine wrote an editorial on this polarizing subject in 2021, noting that this is due to three distinct features of American society: race, capitalism and the media. In reading it, I, unfortunately, found myself becoming more divided from the author.

University of Southern California researchers dug into America’s polarization problem and published findings in 2021. Fred Cook directs the USC Center for Public Relations at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He said, “We believe that polarization is a communications problem.” Fake news. Social media. Bots. Conspiracy theories. Hackers. Misinformation. It’s an “infodemic,” he says.

Cook is right, but the divide didn’t happen overnight. It happened “slowly, then suddenly,” the Time story correctly stated. And, clearly, social media has added fuel to the fire.

Jeffery Jenkins, Provost Professor of Public Policy, Political Science and Law at USC, has been studying polarization for more than 20 years. He says the divide has been festering for quite some time, in part because “people have sorted increasingly well by ideology.”

“It’s hard to imagine polarization getting worse — and yet it does,” Jenkins said.

So, now what? How do we find common ground and embrace it? The only answer I know can be found in those simple writings of Doe Zantamata. Differences or similarities? Which ones will we seek to find?

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's other columns here.

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New again
Residents share their home renovation experiences.

By Ashley Rullestad

For many homeowners, the day comes, sooner or later, when they look around their abode and wonder when the carpet was ever stylish, the wall color ever stunning and the layout ever functional. They realize new curtains, throw pillows and artwork won’t be enough to freshen things up, and the only solution to the weary look of their home is to bite the bullet and invest in some major improvements. And, when the work is done, their home — and enthusiasm for it — feels new.

Making it their own
Jess Gjerde and her family have lived in their home for three years now, but the house has been part of her life for longer than that.

“The house was owned by my dad prior to that,” she says. “He purchased it as a new build in 2010. When he passed away 3.5 years ago, my husband and I decided we wanted to keep the home in our family and moved in.”

They set about making the house their own. They wanted to make updates and add features to make it more functional for the family of five.

These celebrities were born on this date: Julie Andrews, Zach Galifianakis, Brie Larson, Esai Morales, Sarah Drew, Jimmy Carter, Jurnee Smollett, Katie Aselton, Mark McGwire, Matthew Daddario, Rod Carew, Beck Bennett, Cindy Margolis, Danielle Bisutti, John Ridley, Jade Bird

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

Why is Cinderella so bad at soccer? Several great answers: SHE ALWAYS RAN AWAY FROM THE BALL. HER COACH WAS A PUMPKIN. SHE ONLY HAS ONE SHOE. Thanks for sending answers William Snyder, Gail Tomlinson, Lori Bluml, Rex Post

Today's riddle:

Why do waiters make such great tennis players?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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