Politics on the Couch Appetite for Chaos: Why some voters just want to watch the world burn
May 14, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Professor Michael Bang Petersen, a political scientist from Aarhus University with a focus on evolutionary psychology, sheds light on why some voters are drawn to chaos. He argues that many who share misinformation are politically savvy and motivated by the potential to disrupt political systems. The conversation reveals how status anxiety fuels this desire for instability, while economic inequality and the search for community further empower those embracing political chaos. Petersen opens a window into the complex interplay between chaos, order, and voter psychology.
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Misinformation as Strategic Chaos
- People who spread misinformation often do so not out of ignorance but because chaos serves their political goals.
- They evaluate information by its usefulness, not its truthfulness.
Truth vs Usefulness in Politics
- Politically motivated individuals judge information by its usefulness, not truth.
- They often spread falsehoods knowingly to advance their agendas.
Digital Agency in Politics
- Social media allows political agency through micro actions like sharing and liking.
- This grants individuals a sense of participation and empowerment online.