Exposing Contempt in Social Media
Panel Decries the Contempt in Social Media Messages
UNITE, the non-profit founded by Tim Shriver to ease the country’s political divisions, today released its Dignity Index scores on messages from mid-range social media influencers. Passages came from social media accounts with 5,000 to 500,000 followers on posts that had high levels of likes, reposts, and comments.
“The scores this week are the strongest contempt scores yet registered by the National Citizens Panel,” said Shriver. “And they also have the highest bipartisan agreement on the scores themselves. It shows that people can recognize contempt even when it comes from their own side, and they see the damage it does.”
In one example (more below), @buffaloon wrote on X: "His lies have already killed many people. Trump is like a plague carrying flea, giving no thought about the deadly disease he spreads, he does the only thing he can, suck the blood of innocents."
Ninety-nine percent of the panelists agreed this was contempt. The most frequently chosen score was a TWO. And one moderate panelist commented, “This type of expression actually wears down the soul of those who listen.”
Steven Douglas wrote on X about Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: "I want this openly treasonous sociopathic ghoul, along with ghoul Blinken, given due process as they are investigated, charged, tried, and executed for high treason." Ninety-nine percent of panelists agreed this was contempt. The most frequently chosen score was a ONE. And a moderate panelist said: “This is stretching the limits of the 1st Amendment. I would be afraid to be a politician or political appointee in this current climate.”
According to Dignity Index co-creator Tom Rosshirt, “Each media ‘ecosystem’ or audience has a zone of tolerance for contempt. Within that zone, contempt can serve the purpose of the user. But when contempt goes below that zone, it gets too dark for the audience and begins to backfire. That level of tolerance – in cable news or campaign advertising – can keep contempt from descending to ONE or TWO. But in certain cases on social media – either because users are anonymous or are in other ways not accountable – there is little social or political cost to the most withering contempt – which is why social media contempt is some of the most intense in our culture.”
THE LATEST SCORES
Panelists score by matching language from the speech passage with descriptions in the Dignity Index scoring guide, which is available here.
Why was this
contempt
dignity
?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Makes a personal attack on the other, targeting performance, competence, appearance, background, character or morals.
Subtext goes here
Disdains the other side.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
For me, in my eyes this is a personal attack. We don't need to be rude or say inappropriate terms just because we disagree with a candidate. We need to respect each other's opinion.
A panelist on the right , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Unfortunately, this is the way we are today. This statement could have and probably has been said about Trump. Until we return to where we as a people can communicate our opinions without disdain, this is what we get.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
72%
of all panelists
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average
2.7
Partisan Agreement:
• Left Avg: 2.8
• Middle Avg: 2.8
• Right Avg: 2.7
• Left Avg: 2.8
• Middle Avg: 2.8
• Right Avg: 2.7
Consensus
Very Strong
100%
of panelists agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
Why was this
contempt
dignity
?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Those people are evil. They're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them.
Subtext goes here
They're not just bad people; they're promoting evil.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
Like the previous statement it shows a certain amount of hate and total lack of understanding of the problems facing our country it also shows a hate for his fellow people.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
As a Californian that leans to the right, I'm not a fan of either Harris or Newsom. Satan's minions??? That's a bit extreme.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
58%
of all panelists
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average
2.2
Partisan Agreement:
• Left Avg: 1.9
• Middle Avg: 2.3
• Right Avg: 2.3
• Left Avg: 1.9
• Middle Avg: 2.3
• Right Avg: 2.3
Consensus
Very Strong
99%
of panelists agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
Why was this
contempt
dignity
?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Those people are evil. They're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them.
Subtext goes here
They're not just bad people, they're promoting evil.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
It pains me to see or hear both sides of the aisle making statements such as this one. Wholly inappropriate and uncalled for statement by Wunderlich. Start calling people Antichrist you may have bit off more than you can chew in many areas of the country.
A panelist on the right , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
I was wondering when this would start to be brought out. This does not help. It would be more effective and may even sway some people if you used facts and policy debates.
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
65%
of all panelists
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average
2
Partisan Agreement:
• Left Avg: 2
• Middle Avg: 2.1
• Right Avg: 2
• Left Avg: 2
• Middle Avg: 2.1
• Right Avg: 2
Consensus
Very Strong
99%
of panelists agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
Why was this
contempt
dignity
?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Believes the other side is an existential threat.
Subtext goes here
Those people are a danger to everything we value.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
He's stating white liberal women are an existential threat. Seems a little extreme ........
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
This person is just full of hate. These comments are detrimental to the country. I wish you hadn't use comments from X. These are people who attack anyone for anything.
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
I know we’re not supposed to have bias, but I take such offense to the statement and it really just promotes people being against women like we don’t already have enough to deal with. Honestly, I feel like this one has much more contempt than the others did
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
42%
of all panelists
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average
2.2
Partisan Agreement:
• Left Avg: 1.9
• Middle Avg: 2.4
• Right Avg: 2.3
• Left Avg: 1.9
• Middle Avg: 2.4
• Right Avg: 2.3
Consensus
Very Strong
99%
of panelists agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
Why was this
contempt
dignity
?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
They're not just bad people, they're promoting evil.
Subtext goes here
Those people are evil. They're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
This kind of talk serves no good purpose.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
I was going to rate this quote a 3 based on the name calling this anonymous speaker does but towards the end they say they see Vance as smart and evil and referring to someone as evil would fall under a 2 on the dignity scale. It could be far fetched but I feel as if that little reamark takes over the score over the rest of the quote.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
46%
of all panelists
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average
2.5
Partisan Agreement:
• Left Avg: 2.3
• Middle Avg: 2.8
• Right Avg: 2.4
• Left Avg: 2.3
• Middle Avg: 2.8
• Right Avg: 2.4
Consensus
Very Strong
100%
of panelists agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
Why was this
contempt
dignity
?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Those people are evil. They're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them.
Subtext goes here
Tells stories that "prove" the evil of the other side.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
I scored this a 2 based on the personal attack on Trump, calling him evil and the absence of any factual data to support the comments. Hopefully if we start getting some campaigns where each candidate shows respect for the individual and has discussions based on policy rather that personal characteristics we can see a shift away from these types of comments.
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
The hate from both sides can be seen in this statement. Everyone has an opinion, but when you start to spread it on social media platforms, you are contributing to the problem.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
This type of expression actually wears down the soul of those who listen.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
55%
of all panelists
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average
2.2
Partisan Agreement:
• Left Avg: 2.3
• Middle Avg: 2.3
• Right Avg: 2
• Left Avg: 2.3
• Middle Avg: 2.3
• Right Avg: 2
Consensus
Very Strong
99%
of panelists agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
Why was this
contempt
dignity
?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Says that the other side is less than human, is "destroying us," and should be attacked, killed, or eliminated.
Subtext goes here
They're not even human. They don't deserve to live.
Subtext goes here
Has an absolute belief in their own righteousness and in the life-threatening subhuman evil of the other side.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
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Panelist Thoughts
These are violent words used in a extreme contempt.
A panelists in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
this type of speech is disgusting and has no place in our public forums and should not be allowed, it shows a total lack of understanding of our country and how it functions.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
This is stretching the limits of the 1st Amendment. I would be afraid to be a politician or political appointee in this current climate.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Comments like this are ruining our country. Comments like this make me sick.
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
57%
of all panelists
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average
1.8
Partisan Agreement:
• Left Avg: 1.5
• Middle Avg: 1.9
• Right Avg: 2.1
• Left Avg: 1.5
• Middle Avg: 1.9
• Right Avg: 2.1
Consensus
Very Strong
99%
of panelists agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
Why was this
contempt
dignity
?
"They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us."
"Those people are evil and they're going to ruin our country if we let them. It's us or them."
"We're the good people and they're the bad people. It's us vs. them."
"We're better than those people. They don't really belong. They're not one of us."
"The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. It's their country too."
"We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share."
"We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds."
"Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity–no matter what."
Top Reasons
Makes a personal attack on the other, targeting performance, competence, appearance, background, character or morals.
Subtext goes here
Those people are bad people trying to hurt us.
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Subtext goes here
Panelist Thoughts
This is a statement that I personally agree with, I think the media is government controlled and Fox News especially. No statement of getting rid of Fox, or anything violent.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Fox should not be allowed to propagate lies. They should be punished for lies that are put forth. But they should be able to put out their beliefs as long as they are telling the truth.
A panelist on the left , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
While I share this persons sentiments we have a constitution that guarantees the freedom of speech in this country. It is a shame that our political discourse has come this far. Too much of this speech.
A panelist in the middle , Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
, Score: 1, Score: 2, Score: 3, Score: 4, Score: 5, Score: 6, Score: 7, Score: 8
Score Analysis
34%
of all panelists
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Average
2.9
Partisan Agreement:
• Left Avg: 2.9
• Middle Avg: 2.9
• Right Avg: 2.8
• Left Avg: 2.9
• Middle Avg: 2.9
• Right Avg: 2.8
Consensus
Very Strong
93%
of panelists agree this is
CONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTCONTEMPTDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITYDIGNITY
All of the National Citizen Panelist quotes have been attributed verbatim to retain the authenticity of the language.
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