well now, this, by the very-often-excellent michael gerson, is absolutely exactly right.

"Part of the reason that our politics seems so tough right now," he recently told a group of Democratic donors in Massachusetts, "and facts and science and argument [do] not seem to be winning the day all the time is because we're hard-wired not to always think clearly when we're scared. And the country is scared."

Let's unpack these remarks.

Obama clearly believes that his brand of politics represents "facts and science and argument." His opponents, in disturbing contrast, are using the more fearful, primitive portion of their brains. Obama views himself as the neocortical leader -- the defender, not just of the stimulus package and health-care reform but also of cognitive reasoning. His critics rely on their lizard brains -- the location of reptilian ritual and aggression. Some, presumably Democrats, rise above their evolutionary hard-wiring in times of social stress; others, sadly, do not.

Though there is plenty of competition, these are some of the most arrogant words ever uttered by an American president.

The neocortical presidency destroys the possibility of political dialogue. What could Obama possibly learn from voters who are embittered, confused and dominated by subconscious evolutionary fears? They have nothing to teach, nothing to offer to the superior mind. Instead of engaging in debate, Obama resorts to reductionism, explaining his opponents away.

 

why should you vote democratic, particularly obama style? because he's smart and his opponents are stupid, which ironically isn't exactly itself a scientific result, or even a non-fallacy. but if you want to be smart, or at any rate want to fail to be regarded as stupid, here is a very easy way: agree with whatever bo says. because where other people have policies and values - quaint notions from a previous stage of human evolution - obama speaks as Reality Itself. where other people have beliefs, har har, he has Facts. at any rate, i hope that as the american liberal becomes an entirely reviled vestigial minority - corrupted by continual self-congratulation, eeking out a subsistence living in the cliff dwellings of nyc or whatever, huddling together muttering the same words in the same order as evidence of their critical capacities - he or she will be able to comfort him of herself with his or her sat scores or with something tantamount to the ability to read the scientific american.