Mediatization, polarization, and intolerance (between environments, media, and circulation)

José Luiz Braga 284 beings - in behavior, cultures, interests and opinions, motiva- tions, and preferences, in addition to socially produced differ- ences, we can often observe a refusal of the ones assumed to be different, leading to an oppressive intolerance, despite the per- ceived (but little accomplished) importance, today, of recogni- tion and appreciation of human diversity. Voltaire, in his A Treatise on Tolerance, argued that the r ght to persecute is therefore absurd an barbaric; it is the law of the jungle. Nay, it is yet worse, for wild animals kill only to eat, whereas we have exterminat - ed one another over a parcel of words (VOLTAIRE, 1763, p. 39). Assuredly, all intolerance is absurd and barbaric - but it becomes particularly detestable in polarized situations, which stimulate their exacerbation, developing an organization that structures human behavior. The variation in the characteristics and intensity of the phenomenon of polarization, positions, and attitudes manifests itself from different angles. There are varying degrees of possible ferocity, which can lead to physical violence between people or a situation of war between countries. Even outside these extremes, interactional risks deteriorate society and cause damage. There is also variation in expressive ways. Attitudes and behaviors usually associated with polarizing situations - in- tolerance, incivility, antagonism, argumentative bad faith, fake news, hostilities, hate speech, exclusionary propositions - are both symptoms and reiteration of the process. The theme of intolerance in polarization appears to be a sociological or political issue, among other human and social sciences. However, we will treat the topic as a communicational issue, a legitimate perspective for its approach since it can pro- vide specific contributions to a comprehensive understanding. The referred behaviors easily occur as part of commu- nicational processes in all systems of social interaction. They are social expressions of conflict, passion, emotions exacerbated in the very process of communication between people, whenever their differences stand out and for as long as they do not find or