July 29, 2018

The absurdity of trying to fight Brexit (or Trump) with facts, explained.

Sloman and Fernbach cite a survey conducted in 2014, not long after Russia annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea. Respondents were asked how they thought the U.S. should react, and also whether they could identify Ukraine on a map. The farther off base they were about the geography, the more likely they were to favor military intervention.

Once we make up our mind - which often just involves siding with our tribe - contrary facts become meaningless, in most cases.

Rejecting our beliefs means rejecting our tribe, which goes against what we've evolved into: people who cooperate with our tribe, even when it makes no rational sense.

https://www.tremr.com/Edward-Bernays/brexit-and-the-irrationality-of-the-masses