#SendForgivenessViral proposes new approach to online outrage

It's 2016 and the world is full of controversy. From Brexit to Kim vs Taylor -- and where there is controversy, outrage follows suit.

Australian journalist and television presenter Waleed Aly used his platform on panel show The Projectlast night to highlight what he sees as the ineffectiveness of online outrage and proposed a different approach to dealing with views that are either ludicrous and downright offensive.

The video has been met with the whole spectrum of responses from Twitter, ranging from disappointment and (ironically) outrage, to support and applause. Some feel that Aly is shifting the blame from the persecutors back onto the persecuted, while others have praised his insight.

it's the remix to ignition
the racists have good intentions
gotta air their scared feelings
so we can forgive 'em 🎤

— Lou (@MsLou27) July 19, 2016

Lots of white people loving #sendforgivenessviral because it shifts the burden of fixing racism onto people of colour rather than white ppl.

— lana del neigh (@LanaDelNeigh_) July 19, 2016

When a message hits so hard you have to mute the TV for a bit. Outstanding @theprojecttv as always #sendforgivenessviral

— munkeygurl (@munkeygurl) July 19, 2016

Waleed Aly another shockingly reasonable rant onThe Project #sendforgivenessviral

— Peter Hindmarsh (@peterhindmarsh) July 19, 2016

This is what media should be. What a beautiful, smart and responsible piece. Thank you. #SendForgivenessViral https://t.co/wlI4w9GQXy

— Faisal Almalki (@faisalalmalki) July 19, 2016

Aly has an salient point and it's steeped in legit science. Science which can highlight just how hard it is to 'change a mind.'

The Shepard table experiment from 1990 proves just how difficult it is to convince someone, even yourself, that their way of thinking is incorrect. The experiment involves the presentation of two tables that appear different in size, one long and thin and the other squat and square. The kicker is that the two tables are identical in every way except the way you see it.

After watching this video which proves that the tables are identical, your brain will continue to insist that that isn't the case. There is nothing wrong with you for believing that, it is a component of way the human mind processes information.

You know you are wrong and yet a part of you insists that it's experiment that has tricked you.

This peek into how our own minds work proves just how difficult it can be to convince someone that they are being hurtful or what they are saying is factually inaccurate.

So it's no wonder people like Waleed Aly are more interested in offering reason over 'internet outrage' when it comes to correcting our biases.

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