Several fascinating branches of neuroscience and psychology suggest that threat and stress in public life are likely to be self-perpetuating. The more threatened we feel, the more our minds are overwhelmed by involuntary reflexes and unthinking reaction. They show that when we feel threatened, we cannot hear calm, conversational voices. But when we feel threatened, it is the deep background noises we need to hear. But understanding how our minds function helps us to see when they are unconsciously working for the demagogues.

Source: The Guardian October 03, 2019 05:01 UTC