FEAR TRUMPS FACT

There has recently been a great deal of discussion and controversy over the boisterous demonstrations on the campus of a Canadian University. The right wing commentator Ann Coulter had been scheduled to speak at the University which provoked this demonstration. It seems the somewhat rowdy "free speech" of the crowd actually intimidated Ms Coulter to the point she cancelled her appearance.

Some in the media began suggesting this was an embarrassment to Canada and represented an attempt by this crowd to limit "free speech". This is such a curiosity for me...free speech, limited free speech. A woman that promotes an extreme right wing point of view is intimidated by those that object to people presenting extreme right wing points of view. Interesting.

The world is currently witnessing the largest social psychology experiment to ever occur. The USA is giving public voice to the provocative extremists like Ann Coulter, Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Sarah Palin and these people are having a profound affect on the masses. These and others are suggesting Obama's health care Bill will create "death panels" to decide whether grandma should live or die, and large groups of people will lose their Medicare benefits among other bogus claims.

Prior to President Obama's health care Bill the majority of Americans felt their system needed some changes. Health care in America is the most expensive system in the world and growing in costs every year. They suffer from the highest obesity rates of any country,a higher child mortality rate than some third world countries and tens of millions without insurance. Current polls are saying that the overwhelming majority object to the President's health care Bill!

So what happened in the last year? This is where the social psychology study comes in. The reticular activator, or ACC (Anterior Cingulate Cortex...also known as the "oh shit" center) of our brain is what causes us to pay attention when we are otherwise on cruise control going about things in our life. It responds best to things that are familiar, unusual or problematic. If you think about walking along talking to a friend or being in a room full of people and someone calls out your name. The reticular activator is at work and brings you to attention to see who it is. That's because your name is the most familiar thing to you. If you hear a sudden foreign noise in the middle of the night, even if you are asleep you will be brought to attention.

When our brain doesn't fully understand something it responds to fear. Our fear (something is problematic) of the unknown makes us receptive to extreme rhetoric. We don't know why we are afraid but that fear seems to grab hold of ideas that tend to confirm why we should be afraid. It's that "I knew it!" moment. The reticular activator at work.

The facts on the other hand are boring. They don't stimulate the reticular activator to make our brain pay attention. They may become completely overlooked. We register information more readily because of fear.

This is what makes the Coulters, Becks, Limbaughs and Palins so dangerous. The more outrageous the comment the more powerful it's affect. When people like this have a public forum they gain credibility. They are on radio or television saying these things so it must be true because they wouldn't be allowed to say it if it wasn't.

Let's look at the issue in Canada with Ms Coulter. She is invited to speak at a public forum. This gives her credibility. She is being paid to speak which gives her even more credibility. Our brain now thinks she must have something credible to say because this university has invited her. Surely a university wouldn't allow someone to spread lies in such sacred venue!

But you say "I know about her extreme right wing views and I would like to debate her. After all I may help to change her mind. At the very least I may give her something new to think about." This is the deluding brain at work. This woman holds absolute beliefs that couldn't be dislodged with a jack hammer. To be cynical, don't forget she makes her living being extreme and controversial. Do you think she is going to give that up because you gave her something new and profound to think about. Sorry...

The down side is those of the audience that hold fears or insecurities. They are the most vulnerable. They are searching for reasons to justify what they believe or feel. Ms Coulter is the perfect "credible" voice to confirm their fears or at the very least provide fodder for future issues that may arise in their life.

There is nothing to be gained by giving these extremists a public voice but there is certainly a great deal to be lost. These people create chaos in our world because "fear trumps facts" every day.