the Overton window no longer exists
"Shifting the Overton window" is like, not a thing.
In the past, I've supported some political positions in part because they fall on the edge of the Overton window. By vocally taking a borderline position, it legitimizes that position, eventually moving the window. Shifting the range of "acceptable" politics so it is more centered around your politics is tactically smart. Especially for individuals, who (unlike politicians) don't face real risk of career harm or ostracization for extreme political views. (With exceptions.)
But the concept of the window implies a sort of bell curve of political positions within a single society-level political zeitgeist. This is not the world we observe today. When Overton conceptualized the window, most people got their news and political opinions from roughly the same, or similar sources. Today, someone's political identity can be almost entirely determined by what media they consume (whether you watch Fox or CNN, who you follow on YouTube/TikTok, etc).
There is no singular political consciousness.
Even political campaigns are no longer about choosing policy positions that are broadly popular. Instead, politicians talk as little about policy as possible, so that they can run targeted ads for each micro-Overton window, for each demographic subgroup. They choose their target audiences, then cater their messages and podcast appearances to fit that audience specifically. No one is really fighting over the mythical undecided voter.
In short, political polarization, due to media bifurcation.
The upshot is that professions of radical belief are much less valuable. If I take a "radical" position "prisons should be abolished!", I'm not shifting The Overton Window (singular) - I'm shifting the left Overton window. The right Overton window is essentially completely separate, and will ignore me entirely and carry on. The separation of these two (or more) windows is arguably pretty bad. (Note that this is not a value judgement on the statement itself, just on its political impacts.)
You could reasonably argue that the Overton window (singular) is the union of these separate windows I'm describing. But I don't think that is very accurate. Lots of positions are acceptable (if borderline) in one camp and downright offensive in the other (think: defund the police, or homosexuality is a sin).
I'm not sure if this will actually affect my personal politics. Most of my positions are genuinely held (and if they weren't I wouldn't tell you anyway). For now, it's just a thought. I'm curious if there is other writing or research on this - if you know, email me.
If you post a reply on another blog or social media, or just want to chat, email me! christopher@cg505.com