They love authoritarianism, more than they love other people, democracy, anything. There’s a certain amount of neural wiring involved, as people lean into it, their amygdala grows larger and their fear of “others” and “chaos” intensifies.
When I saw my mom posting a fundraiser for the Ice murderer’s family last week, I realized a cop could beat me to death in front of her, and she’d tend to his bruised knuckles in apology. That was the very last straw, I don’t know her anymore.
I’ve seen enough of the die hard maga folks talk that I see why authoritarianism appeals. It’s annoying to think and if someone just simplifies the world for them, they find that much more appealing.
To scrutinize the actions of their leader is just too much work, so they just slip into the comfortable position of “this is my guy, I agree with whatever he says, even if I were to be even vaguely at odds with him, is just because he is better than me and accepting whatever is just the right call”
Yeah David Frum famously wrote “If conservatives become convinced that they cannot win democratically, they will not abandon conservatism. They will reject democracy.”
He’s a former neocon Bush speechwriter and an ardent anti-Trumper. He would know.
They love authoritarianism, more than they love other people, democracy, anything. There’s a certain amount of neural wiring involved, as people lean into it, their amygdala grows larger and their fear of “others” and “chaos” intensifies.
When I saw my mom posting a fundraiser for the Ice murderer’s family last week, I realized a cop could beat me to death in front of her, and she’d tend to his bruised knuckles in apology. That was the very last straw, I don’t know her anymore.
I’ve seen enough of the die hard maga folks talk that I see why authoritarianism appeals. It’s annoying to think and if someone just simplifies the world for them, they find that much more appealing.
To scrutinize the actions of their leader is just too much work, so they just slip into the comfortable position of “this is my guy, I agree with whatever he says, even if I were to be even vaguely at odds with him, is just because he is better than me and accepting whatever is just the right call”
there was brain scan study to confirm this a while ago, the amgydala is larger on average compared to non-conservatives.
What happens if you change political party then?
Some say their amygdala grew three sizes that day.
I imagine your opinions have shifted and therefore your brain is already literally changing by the time you drop the party.
Yeah David Frum famously wrote “If conservatives become convinced that they cannot win democratically, they will not abandon conservatism. They will reject democracy.”
He’s a former neocon Bush speechwriter and an ardent anti-Trumper. He would know.
That’s the distrust I think about every day, too. That so many would sell their families out for nothing.