where is this 'Overton window' discussion that keeps being referred to?

[sethstarkaddersmum]

Have been away so I've missed a lot.... now I keep reading passing references to something Tortoise said about the Overton Window but I can't pin it down. Can anyone enlighten me? thanks

Found this:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window

Seems to originate from US free market ideas.

I note that Glenn Beck has written a novel using the term as its title, so that will no doubt be sh*te!

thanks Breton1900. How interesting. Anyone know the context in which it came up on MN?

In theory, the Overton Window represents the boundaries of "acceptable" public policy and discourse -- what a politician can support without seeming too "extreme." Opposing forces try to broaden this window (or shift it to one side) to make formerly "radical" ideas seem more "mainstream." Overton's theory has a decidedly pro-business, anti-regulation slant. Something is either "more free" or "less free" in his view. He never mentions "more just" or "more fair" or "more practical."

is the Overton window similar to what is deemed politically correct? or have I got the wrong end of the stick? Presumably not believing in global warming would put you outside the Overton window?

It was on this thread

Claig Apparently if we are all discussing how to save energy to stop global warming, and then somebody says "I do not believe in global warming" and everybody starts arguing with that person, the Overton window shifts, as it is always roughly the same size.
I hope I remember well.

Interesting, does it shift in favour of the anti view since this is what is currently being discussed? If so, then it demonstrates the importance of expanding the boundaries of the window by including views which are not currently fashionable. Free speech is vital in order to expand the Overton window. In fact, it would be best if there was no Overton window at all, and if all views were politically acceptable and may the best views win out in open debate.

There was a time when feminism was outside the Overton window. Seems to me that the Overton window is a subtle form of control that tries to restrict other possibilities, and the Overton window is probably framed by the powerful.

It is a very restrictive concept, but it seems to accurately portray certain situations. e.g. the thread I linked in started with discussing how to cope with trolls and derailers, feminism and framing. It then totally degenerated into whether a certain person was "adorable" (Stephen Fry's word) or a thug, and whether some posters were trolls or just having a breakdown. The window shifted.

I'll have to look up that Glenn Beck novel, Breton

I don't think many here will like Glenn Beck, he is the scourge of the progressive liberals on Fox News. He has even made a documentary about the progressives called 'The Road to Serfdom'.

I know who Glenn Beck is. I just could not imagine him writing a novel. Although he does have a very vivid imagination.