The notion of a neutral and moderate middle is a prejudice of people for whom the system is working, against those for whom itâs not âA lot of what are now considered moderate positions were seen as radical not long ago, when this country supported segregation, banned interracial marriages and then same-sex marriagesâ Photograph: Craig Lassig/EPA âA lot of what are now considered moderate positions were seen as radical not long ago, when this country supported segregation, banned interracial marriages and then same-sex marriagesâ Photograph: Craig Lassig/EPA Fri 28 May 2021 06.12 EDT Last modified on Fri 28 May 2021 06.14 EDT The idea that all bias is some deviation from an unbiased center is itself a bias that prevents pundits, journalists, politicians, and plenty of others from recognizing some of the most ugly and impactful prejudices and assumptions of our times. I think of this bias, which insists the center is not biased, not afflicted with agendas, prejudices, and destructive misperceptions, as status-quo bias. Underlying it is the belief that things are pretty OK now, that the people in charge should be trusted because power confers legitimacy, that those who want sweeping change are too loud or demanding or unreasonable, and that we should just all get along without looking at the skeletons in the closet and the stuff swept under the rug. Itâs mostly a prejudice of people for whom the system is working, against those for whom itâs not.