I must be the slowest on the uptake in the world. A while ago I discussed why progressives are likely to stay in a political ghetto, but I didn’t really get to the heart of the matter – their communications style. What’s going on there? It finally occurred to me while mowing the lawn.
Politics is about governance.
Governance is about dominance.
And part of dominance is the language used in communications. After all, if you’re going to be the alpha male gorilla, you have to let the rest of the troupe know you’re the top gun. And your supporters will communicate your dominance as well, because it’s of benefit to them to assert that dominance. And part of that dominance, at least as humans, is having better ideas, and, conversely, spitting on those of everyone else.
So what we end up with is a bunch wannabe politicians who are asserting their desperately desired dominance through their language, and that is almost inevitably a disdainful, even alienating style. And they don’t seem to get it.
Glad this Slow Joe finally got it. And all you anthropologists can just nod and pat me on the head.
