How do ideas that were once unthinkable become accepted policy?
In this conversation with Royalty Exchange cofounder Gary Young, we discuss the Overton window — the range of policies politically acceptable to the mainstream population at a given time — and what it means for entrepreneurs.
The concept, named after Joseph P. Overton, frames the range of policies that a politician can recommend without appearing too extreme in order to gain (or keep) public office, given the climate of public opinion at that time.
The concept offers a helpful way for entrepreneurs to think about their own individual biases and the ideas that shape their daily reality. Many of these can be self-limiting, so it’s helpful to examine them.
I outline four ways Overton windows change over history:
1) Crisis mover (9/11, Covid-19).
2) Gradual persuasion (same-sex marriage, decriminalizing drugs).
3) Charismatic salesman (MLK with civil rights, Ronald Reagan with taxes).
4) Provocateur (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Tucker Max, Malcolm X).
Gary adds a fifth way:
5) A shift in media technology that allows people to observe variances in different people’s Overton windows (talk radio, social media).
Our advice:
- Know what boundaries you’re operating within. Test where they are and see if they’re useful.
- Don’t be an agent of the Overton window, by shaming and guilting people for their thoughts and actions. Independent thinking will help get you out of an Overton window.
- Be an anti-agent: Speak the truth (see “The Turkey Problem” episode) and plant seeds in people’s heads.
Resources
“What You Can’t Say,” by Paul Graham
“The Turkey Problem” (previous SmithSense episode)
