In today's world, the concept of "normalization" takes on a new dimension, often with a positive connotation. Calls for acceptance of a variety of phenomena, from postpartum physical appearance to open conversations about mental health at work, are hotly debated both on and off social media. The idea is to break down taboos that can be harmful or even dangerous.
However, there is another kind of normalization that is less talked about but can have more serious consequences. This is the normalization of trends, situations, and events that really shouldn't be "normal." This phenomenon is sometimes called "decreasing emotional sensitivity" or "addiction".
Let's recall the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. The first events of these conflicts shocked the world with their surprise and importance. However, over time, these situations became less relevant. Although journalists continue to cover the events, they are less likely to become central topics of international media and cultural discussions.
Unfortunately, research shows that as the conflict continues for months or even years, subsequent weeks of fighting no longer have the same impact as they did at the beginning.
This loss of sensitivity also manifests itself in everyday life. For example, youth who grew up in poor, violent urban areas are more likely to view violence as the norm. And people who live in countries that are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change do not see this as a serious threat.
Other studies show that you can get used to even your own negative behavior. During the experiment, volunteers systematically took on responsibilities to get more help. Over time, the lies became bigger, and the parts of their brain responsible for emotions became less and less activated.
Scientists have come to the conclusion: the more often we do something (even bad), the less we feel fear and shame.
In other words, our perception is shaped by everyday behavior.
This certainly has its positive sides: to some extent, people need to be able to adapt to new circumstances and situations, regardless of their complexity. Our species probably wouldn't be able to reach these heights, or at least not have the capacity for emotional problem-solving, fantasy, and creativity, if we lived in constant stress and anxiety.
But there are also certain dangers. First, adaptability may be one of the reasons why people find it difficult to deal with what sociologists call "slow violence"—problems that seem unimportant at first glance, but whose damage can only be recognized months or even years later. For example, long-term pollution of the environment with chemical waste or the growth of global carbon dioxide emissions.
Moreover, this ability can perpetuate a vicious circle. Studies of violence in urban areas have shown that participants in conflicts are more likely to commit violence if they perceive it to be the norm.
This also applies to more complex issues. If climate change is not a serious problem for someone, will they be motivated to act? If awareness of humanitarian disasters diminishes, will people share their concerns and donate to charities?
When discussing news consumption, two key questions arise: How can news outlets cover topics without desensitizing their audience to them? And how can a smart, informed media consumer discern the news without being exposed to the same risk?
Scientists are interested in how constant exposure to the same news affects the audience. For example, one study found that it irritates consumers who even avoid such materials.
Audiences don't just like novelty, the researchers point out. People especially resent the lack of change or improvement. "Some individuals react particularly negatively to the lack of progress and the long-term subconscious solution to the problem, which is partly related to the involvement of politicians," the scientists note. This is alarming. Think how it might make it less likely that businesses and governments will take action on climate change, for example, if it's never talked about.
On the other hand, the less progress is made in solving the problem, the more interest in it is lost. This could lead to less exposure of such issues and less media pressure.
In addition, there is another problem, especially related to news about other people's suffering. If we get too upset by what we see or read, we can burn out and turn away from that content altogether.
So what can we do? How to stay up to date with the news without being overloaded and without losing sensitivity?
Researchers advise consuming news more consciously, for example, at a specific time, if it is psychologically difficult for you.
To stay informed, you should diversify your media diet. If you want to learn more about a particular topic or crisis, don't limit yourself to one source of information.
If, for example, you are interested in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, do not just read the headlines of the latest news, but look for foreign policy analysis, watch documentaries, listen to audiobooks. And, most importantly, consider the views of both sides of the conflict.
It is also important to consider the problem in the long term. Look back and try to understand its root cause by replacing some of the daily news with, for example, history books or documentaries.
It is also useful to look ahead and ask yourself questions about the future. Analyze how our decisions today will affect future outcomes a year, 100 years, or even 1,000 years from now.
How do we overcome our tendency to adapt to circumstances, even when they are not acceptable?
Start by recognizing that this addiction is possible.
Think about it: what things are you used to in your environment, community or country, and what would you like to change?
Only then can action plans be developed. Some researchers suggest countering "slow violence" with "slow resistance" or "slow nonviolence," including gradual, everyday actions such as sharing knowledge about a particular topic.
Scientists recommend emotionally distancing yourself from circumstances in order to see them with a new perspective. For example, if something that bothers you in your country starts to seem like the "norm", try to discuss it with someone from another country or find out how the problem is solved elsewhere.
It is also worth remembering that the problem that worries you today may lose its relevance in a month or a year.
Try to establish a habit of taking small but important steps. For example, make a regular donation to a charity that works in a field that interests you.
The most important thing is to remember: there have been many terrible situations in the world - from the global slave trade to apartheid in South Africa. All of them lasted for decades and even centuries, being considered unsurpassed and unchanged. But they have changed. And circumstances that we do not want to see in our future or the future of our children can also change.
