Breaking Out of Our Information Bubbles

First published 18 September 2025

I have a confession.

While on holiday last week, I did something I rarely do and generally advise against – I watched the news. 😲

I know, I know, it’s just that sometimes curiosity gets the better of you, doesn’t it?

What struck me wasn’t just the usual doom and gloom (although there was plenty of that!), but something far more unsettling.

Surfing between different news channels, I could have been forgiven for thinking they were reporting on completely different events rather than offering opposing views of the same stories.

The Algorithm’s Choice

Then something similar happened on social media.

After a particularly significant event (I am not going to get all political in talking specifics, there are enough people already doing that!), my feed initially showed me a wild mix of opposing viewpoints – people celebrating, others outraged, some confused, others certain – I was really wasn’t expecting that.

But within a couple of hours, normal service was resumed, the algorithm had made up its mind about which side of the story it wanted me to see.

Suddenly, my feed became an echo chamber of similar opinions, all reinforcing the same narrative.

The messy, uncomfortable diversity of perspectives had been sanitised into a neat stream of agreement.

The Comfort Trap

Here’s the thing – we’re wired to seek information that confirms what we already believe (you may have heard the term confirmation bias – in a nutshell, this is that).

Our brains filter out information that contradicts our existing worldview and beliefs, because, evolutionarily speaking, being certain kept us safe. (and that’s before we were ever faced with the drivers of the algorithms doing all they can to keep us hooked and inside the apps)

But this ancient survival mechanism is creating a modern danger.

We’re becoming isolated in our own information bubbles, surrounded by voices that sound just like our own internal monologue – or perhaps, they are forming and solidifying a monologue.

Within the 5 elements, this relates to Metal – which governs our ability to discern (the characteristics of clarity, organisation, and refinement come in here, allowing us to evaluate what is valuable and what can be discarded, both physically and emotionally).

When this is imbalanced, we become either too rigid in our thinking or too scattered to form any clear perspective (news fatigue can come into play here).

On top of that, the throat chakra thrives on authentic dialogue and the free flow of ideas.

When we only consume information that confirms what we think, we stop truly listening and start simply waiting for our turn to be right (anyone else hearing the alarm bells already?) and this puts a stop to the authentic dialogue.

The Lost Art of Debate

When was the last time you had a proper debate?

Not an argument, but a genuine exploration of different ideas where both people might learn something?

These types of conversations are becoming so much harder to find, and we’re all suffering for it.

If we all retreat into separate echo chambers, we’re not just becoming divided – we’re losing our ability to communicate across difference at all.

We are creating a world where people with different perspectives might as well be speaking different languages.

A Different Way Forward

Here’s what I’m proposing as a mini challenge for you (and me) for the next few weeks:

Get curious about your information diet.
What sources do you consume?
Do you feel challenged in your thinking or does the information simply reinforce it?
Try occasionally reading something that presents a different perspective.

Notice your physical response to challenging information.
Do you tense up?
Feel angry?
That’s valuable information about where your edges are.

Practice “Help me understand.”
Instead of “You’re wrong,” try “I see it differently – help me understand your perspective.”

Seek out people who disagree with you respectfully.
Not trolls, but thoughtful people who have reached different conclusions.

And for bonus points, argue the ‘opposite side’ with someone you trust. 

Can you make it make sense? 

Worst case scenario is that you confirm your thinking and strengthen your ‘arguments’ – but you may just find yourself challenging your own stand point.

Finding Common Ground

Most of us want similar things – safety, belonging, purpose, connection.

We just disagree about how to get there.

When we remember this shared humanity, even our disagreements have the ability to become more compassionate.

Your challenge this week: deliberately seek out at least one perspective that challenges your current thinking.

Not to change your mind, rather to stretch your capacity for understanding and empathy.

The world needs more bridge-builders and fewer wall-builders.

More curiosity and less certainty.

What would change if we all got a little more curious about perspectives that are different from our own?

With love and my usual sense of nosiness curiosity,

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If you’re finding it challenging to navigate, and make sense of, different perspectives, I’m here.

Drop me a line if you’d like support staying open-hearted while remaining grounded.