What is the opposite of a Petri Dish?

[Baitball Blogger]

Every now an then I search for metaphors to explain every day things that strike my imagination and I come up with a perfect one, only to think it through and realize that it would be perfect, if it weren't for the laws of Physics. For example, I was looking for a metaphor to explain how our conversations get self-censored whenever we're in groups where we find large numbers of conservatives. These aren't academic circles, but social ones. Think, hobby groups, high school reunions etc.

This self-censoring eventually becomes the norm if you want to continue circulating in that circle. And if you don't have balanced contacts with people that share your world view somewhere else to fill the void, eventually, the conservative circles soon begin to feel lacking.

I found myself feeling that way about a certain group that defined my early views on life. After decades of reunions I began to notice how even the people that I knew were progressive in thought tended to self-censor in order to get along. The need to identify with that traditional group was so great that even attempts to go on one-on-one lunch dates, where we could talk about common political views, were resisted. (There's always an excuse that gets in the way.) The point is, that only the events that are group sanctioned seems to be the place where you'll see them. And thus, the same thing happens. You find yourself compromising and self-censoring yourself to get a long with a group that no longer seems to provide the support you once felt.

Enter, the Petri Dish metaphor. I'm looking for a metaphor where every element that doesn't fit in is pushed away in order to get down to the most primitive element. So, not exactly a Petri Dish.

[mercuryblues]

1. Lowest common denominator

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Herd mentality, groupthink ? nt

[ProudLib72]

3. I feel like these conversations are more of a gel run

You start with the political enzyme that breaks down the group into separate entities. Add electrical conversation about the latest politics... The end result is sort of a spread of political views from extreme conservative to liberal.

[Baitball Blogger]

4. It's not quite like that.

More to the point, conservatives think they are racially sensitive because they won't talk about race issues at all. And you just have to follow their lead. It is not socially acceptable because they know the cohesiveness of the group would fall apart.

[First Speaker]

5. A Buddy Sorrell Dish...

[Mike 03]

6. It's not the best but maybe something like panning for gold

or a type of filtration process. I was researching clean air machines yesterday and saw illustrations that sort of suggest what you're talking about... Like a Hepa filter or a five stage filtration process that air is run through to cycle out impurities. Also, and it's rather random, but you know those pest control devices that electrocute mosquitoes. Your question is interesting. I guess you ruled out black holes that compactify everything into a singularity? I'll be interested to see what you come up with.

[machI]

7. Conservatives sterlize a discussion like an Autoclave