Wulfie's Wurld
An island of questions in a sea of confusion.Monday, July 03, 2006
Commentary: The Religion of Politics
Emory University did an interesting study just prior to the 2004 elections, using both Democrat and Republican subjects. Each was presented with information that threatened their preferred candidate. Their brains were monitored as well as their responses. Anyone want to venture what they think happened? Did the subjects, perhaps, evaluate the information presented in a logical way, weighing the pros and the cons, and come to an informed decision based upon the facts? It seems that for those subjects who were very partisan in their beliefs, that did not happen. In fact, the part of the brain that deals in logic and higher functions did not light up at all. It didn't matter whether they were Democrats or Republicans.
Are we surprised?
Generally, the following scenario took place:
1. When presented with information that was contrary to their preferred candidate, the area dealing with negative emotions fired.
2. They came to a biased conclusion by ignoring the information.
3. They then got a pleasure spike identical that of an addict getting a fix.
What that means is that people in partisan politics are not interested in what's good for the country. They're trying to score cheap highs, undetectable by any drug tests. And it's happening on both sides of the aisle. It's kind of like this:
Demmie: "Neocons suck because of a, b, and c."
Pubbie: "Libs suck because of x, y, and z."
Demmie: "Oh yeah? Well, your mother wears combat boots."
Pubbie: "And your father smells of elderberries."
. . . and both walk away, having gotten their fix, and convinced more than ever that they are right and the other side is wrong.
Way to run a country, guys.
I've seen the same thing happen in a room where two different religions fling Bible texts at one another. There's this constant ebb and flow of disgust and pleasure. Neither side gives any ground, and both are convinced the other group is on an express train the Hell. What's funny is that both sides think they're Christians.
There's a reason for the separation of Church and State. Now let's see if we can take the religion out of politics.
Emory University did an interesting study just prior to the 2004 elections, using both Democrat and Republican subjects. Each was presented with information that threatened their preferred candidate. Their brains were monitored as well as their responses. Anyone want to venture what they think happened? Did the subjects, perhaps, evaluate the information presented in a logical way, weighing the pros and the cons, and come to an informed decision based upon the facts? It seems that for those subjects who were very partisan in their beliefs, that did not happen. In fact, the part of the brain that deals in logic and higher functions did not light up at all. It didn't matter whether they were Democrats or Republicans.
Are we surprised?
Generally, the following scenario took place:
1. When presented with information that was contrary to their preferred candidate, the area dealing with negative emotions fired.
2. They came to a biased conclusion by ignoring the information.
3. They then got a pleasure spike identical that of an addict getting a fix.
What that means is that people in partisan politics are not interested in what's good for the country. They're trying to score cheap highs, undetectable by any drug tests. And it's happening on both sides of the aisle. It's kind of like this:
Demmie: "Neocons suck because of a, b, and c."
Pubbie: "Libs suck because of x, y, and z."
Demmie: "Oh yeah? Well, your mother wears combat boots."
Pubbie: "And your father smells of elderberries."
. . . and both walk away, having gotten their fix, and convinced more than ever that they are right and the other side is wrong.
Way to run a country, guys.
I've seen the same thing happen in a room where two different religions fling Bible texts at one another. There's this constant ebb and flow of disgust and pleasure. Neither side gives any ground, and both are convinced the other group is on an express train the Hell. What's funny is that both sides think they're Christians.
There's a reason for the separation of Church and State. Now let's see if we can take the religion out of politics.
posted by Cynewulf # 7/03/2006 11:31:00 AM 
Comments:
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There's a reason for the separation of Church and State. Now let's see if we can take the religion out of politics.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
That being said, most conversations that devolve into partisan pissing matches do have a right and wrong component to them.
It's just when people (like me) are unable to clearly demonstrate their point that the claws come out...
Amen. Amen. Amen.
That being said, most conversations that devolve into partisan pissing matches do have a right and wrong component to them.
It's just when people (like me) are unable to clearly demonstrate their point that the claws come out...
What Brian wrote above is him tying off and tapping a vein. Enjoy your high Brian.
# posted by 
: 2:07 PM, July 06, 2006
: 2:07 PM, July 06, 2006
Emo--
I believe he said "conversations," not "conservatives."
I could be wrong, because I sometimes am, but superficially at least it seems that someone else has been doing the vein tying.
You think?
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I believe he said "conversations," not "conservatives."
I could be wrong, because I sometimes am, but superficially at least it seems that someone else has been doing the vein tying.
You think?
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