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by Brad WarbianyFrom M.S. @ The Economist’s Democracy In America blog:
To say that most American political discourse takes place at the intellectual level of baboons would be an insult to baboons. Baboons are capable of handling two-factor reasoning problems: if I eat all the bananas now, I’ll have none left for later; better eat enough to quell my hunger now, but leave some for later. In contrast, political discourse generally takes place at the one-factor level that could be handled by, say, flatworms: Banana yummy! Hunger bad!
And politics takes place at the same level: Spend now! What consequences?!
Politicians are more advanced than baboons. They are masters of multiple-factor reasoning: If today I promise potential voters whatever they most want, then in November I’ll win the election, and in January I can do whatever I want (regardless of what I said while campaigning).
Typical voters are less advanced than flatworms: Man promise banana good. Me still hungry. Man promise banana good. Me more hungry. Man promise banana good. Me starving….
Comment by DoctorT — April 17, 2012 @ 3:53 pm