Let me start by asking a question to all the other writers out there: how often do you feel like you’re “preaching to the choir” with the pieces you publish? If you’re like me, it’s pretty frequently. Back in July, I started a writing internship for a nonprofit organization, and I’m absolutely loving the job. I get to write about things that I think are important such as women’s rights and mental health. In fact, I like writing so much that I’m thinking about applying for jobs with a writing component after I graduate this year. But there’s been something on my mind that’s been bothering me about my writing: I feel like I’m writing for an audience that already agrees with what I have to say, and so, therefore, my writing doesn’t have much of a real impact.
So, what is an echo chamber? According to Merriam Webster, an echo chamber is “a room with sound-reflecting walls used for producing hollow or echoing sound effects— often used figuratively”. I think many of you can relate to this, even if you aren’t writers. How many of you feel as though your social media feed or the books you read and the documentaries you watch are reflective only of the beliefs you already have? How much of what you are exposing yourself to is a different perspective than what you’re used to hearing? Probably not a whole lot.