Re: Confidence: A Basic Politics Puzzle

Michael Wiik (mwiik@netcom.com)
Wed, 19 Feb 1997 06:56:19 -0800 (PST)


Pardon me for being crude, but I don't recall anyone mentioning that we
are hard-wired to be political. We're mammals, that's why we don't defer to
political experts.

Scientists and philosophers are viewed, on a visceral level, as people that
don't pose much of a threat to our territory. They are perceived as less likely
to make off with our mates, and their brain over braun development makes them
easy to beat up.

Political leaders, on the other hand, are more likely to be alpha male types
and deference to them instantly gives us lowered status within the tribe.

Deference to experts in scientific matters doesn't threaten our status. I
realize we should be beyond all this, and that this may be a very "male"
viewpoint.

Thanks,
-Mike

-- 
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             Michael Wiik             Messagenet Communications Research
           mwiik@netcom.com                 http://messagenet.com
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