There’s a fire burning inside some people. We see the spark turn into a blast of heat in an instant when certain topics are brought up; just like that, the most normal person can let loose with a barrage of extreme views.

This week, we’re talking about extremists: what constitutes an extremist, why people become so extreme about certain things, and…what we can do about it. Whether it’s an angry group in the streets or people spewing anger on Facebook, extremism comes in many forms. There are the stereotypes: Islamic terrorists and other religious zealots hellbent of destruction and hate; eco-terrorists and racists. These are the extreme of the extreme, but everyday people are not immune to extremism.

Angry Christians and angry atheists are doing battle right now, online. Same thing with political battles and so many other topics. Ask for a long discussion about classic art online and you may not get a single reply, but type “Gun control: yes or no?” and watch the floodwaters rise. (And yep, we talk about gun control in this episode!)

We ask if there’s an increase in extremism, or if it only seems that way because it’s now so easy to be heard online. Are the most extreme people on different sides of an issue that different, or are they united by that fire burning deep within? We ask if there’s ever a good reason for extremism and even ask ourselves if we have any extreme views. We chat about extremists many don’t think to be extremists before discussing what we think is the most dangerous thing about extremism. Finally, we close it all out by asking what can be done to curb extremism.

Dare we say it — this might be the most important episode we’ve ever done…

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