This phrase from a Gershwin tune distills the challenges we face in today’s highly partisan world that governs our shared social, political and cultural experiences. A central cause of our division is that each of us is a unique individual with a different world view. We see things through our own personal lens. While we may share and overlap with others, each of us is unique in how we combine these perspectives. Contributing to these differing outlooks is the fact that we interpret the world in infinitely complex patterns, influenced by a multitude of varying factors of importance to each of us as individuals:

Genetics – Our genetic building blocks form our brain structure, hormones, neurons and functions that help determine our perspectives.

Family – Family dynamics powerfully mold our world view at a very young age.

Culture – The cultural milieu that envelops us impacts our cognitive functions and perception.

Political affiliation – We are often guided by the beliefs and values of a political party.
Faith tradition – Faith affiliations contribute to our moral foundation and guide our perceptions of reality.
Economic level – Everyone’s economic profile is different and is a powerful determinant to shaping one’s outlook.
Education – Educational experience is a strong contributor to our values.
Media access – At a time when we can select a media source that reinforces our individual values and beliefs, it is easy to ignore different viewpoints.
Recent academic polls reveal that Americans are becoming more polarized than at any time in our history and far more divided than other wealthy countries. The anger, division, chaos and exhaustion characterizing our current experience cannot continue if we are to live in a modern, well-functioning country. The question is, can we listen to the better angels of our nature and create a landscape that centers on finding common ground? This challenge seems daunting but should be tempered by the realization that most of us want the same things in life and share mostly common goals.
Some suggestions for addressing the extreme partisanship and divisions might include:
Take a risk – Initiate an encounter with someone who has a different view from your own. You might find that you have more in common than anticipated.
Talk less and listen more. It’s hard to understand another person’s perspective when you are busy formulating your rebuttal. Active listening is a difficult and exhausting exercise but might enhance your understanding of an alternate viewpoint.
Avoid persuasion – Others are just as convinced of their beliefs as you are and persuasion is seldom successful in altering behavior.
Be kind – Make an effort to practice kindness in your everyday life and be mindful of the old adage “what goes around comes around.”
Practice respect – Recognize the humanity of a person who disagrees with you.
Good ideas – Be mindful that no one has a monopoly on the good ideas.
Focus on facts – Try to dig deep for the truth supported by evidence, facts and data.
Expand news sources – Consult a variety of news sources to understand views that differ from your own.
The extreme partisanship that we all experience is not good for us and is contrary to what most of us want or support. Rather than entrench into our own narrow worlds, we need to seek interactions with those who may hold different beliefs and try to understand a different world view. Be an advocate for reducing the divisions we now experience and hopefully, we can evolve to a less dysfunctional world that aligns more closely with our collective values.