Big Think Why the wrong people end up in power _ Brian Klaas, Bill Eddy, & more.
12 snips
Aug 22, 2025 Discover the psychological underpinnings of authoritarianism and the allure of power-hungry individuals. The conversation reveals the emotional manipulations commonly used by narcissistic politicians to sway public opinion. It explores the art of storytelling as a tool that both con artists and ineffective leaders use to create crises and position themselves as saviors. Additionally, the podcast discusses the fragile state of democracy, highlighting how emotional rhetoric and social media echo chambers distort reality and civic engagement.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Power Attracts The Nonaverage
- People who seek power are not average and self-select into leadership roles disproportionately.
- This creates a skew where the wrong kinds of people often end up ruling others.
Attention Feeds Narcissistic Politics
- High-conflict and narcissistic personalities are increasingly entering politics because attention converts to power.
- Running for high office requires grandiosity and polished manipulation skills.
Selection Bias Shapes Leadership
- Corruptible and power-hungry people are more drawn to office and thus overrepresented among leaders.
- This selection bias means systems matter as much as personalities.