Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman

Ep130 "What do brains tell us about politics?" Part 1: Polarization

Nov 17, 2025
Explore how propaganda connects across history and the medial prefrontal cortex's role in dehumanization. Delve into the recurring patterns of societal polarization from the Civil War to modern conflicts. Learn about the neurological underpinnings of in-group favoritism and the impact of education as a defense against propaganda. Discover how our brains respond to political identities and the potential for rewiring towards empathy and cooperation. This captivating discussion weaves together science, history, and human behavior in fascinating ways.
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INSIGHT

Polarization Is Historically Recurrent

  • Polarization predates social media and recurs across U.S. history in different forms like slavery, labor, and culture wars.
  • Social context changes shape but the underlying tribal brain mechanisms remain constant.
ANECDOTE

Radio Dehumanization In Rwanda

  • Radio propaganda in Rwanda called Tutsis 'cockroaches' and normalized violence, leading to mass killings in 1994.
  • Similar dehumanizing metaphors appear in Nazi Germany and wartime American posters, showing a repeating pattern.
INSIGHT

Dehumanization Turns Off 'Mind' Circuits

  • The medial prefrontal cortex activates when we see others as minds and dims when we dehumanize groups.
  • Dehumanizing metaphors thus bypass social cognition and make violence psychologically easier.
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