EOTO Reax #2

Overton Window 

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    The Overton window is something I hadn't realized I had always been aware of until I heard Greyson's presentation on it. To put it in simple terms, it's an ever-shifting "window" or perspective on what is popular and normal vs what isn't. Here is a visual of what that looks like that helped me have an easier time understanding it: 

                         

    Grey used the example of gay marriage shifting from being unacceptable in mainstream media to becoming an acceptable thing to speak about and support. Upon doing my research, you can see the shift in the Overton window over US history. Whether that is when Christianity went from being frowned upon to freely practiced when pilgrims moved to the United States, to the Salem witch trials, to the civil rights movement. Public opinion on political issues will always change, with more policies that were once seen as "radical" being put into policy. 

    Politically the Overton window also states that politicians are only able to work within what is seen as normal. If they want the narrative to be shifted to something outside the window, they must be careful with how far outside the window they choose to go. Going too far out of the window can lead to public criticism and is generally not a good idea for politicians. 

    Not all shifts will be positive shifts, especially if a very influential figure might make a comment. That has the chance to quickly change the narrative from a taboo topic to a normalized one. Understanding the Overton window is essential for being knowledgeable about current and past politics.

Grey's EOTO: 

https://tbgmedialawlit.blogspot.com/2024/10/overton-window.html