The Empty Divide

As if on cue, researchers at Emory University have provided a plausible explanation for the Great Divide discussed earlier - how can all Rebs consistently see something one way and all Dims see the same thing exactly the opposite way? According to widely circulated news reports, the Emory research has determined that "staunch party members" from both sides simply do not activate the reasoning part of the brain when confronted with facts that are not in accord with their prefabricated partisan beliefs. The study appears to indicate a complete absence of reasoning in the decision-making process that resides in the minds of the party faithful. Said, another way, there's simply no thinking going on in Washington DC or in the capitol buildings in our 50 states.

For example, using a functional MRI scan, the study shows that Rebs and Dims consistently deny obvious contradictions from their candidates while quickly detecting contradictions in the opposing candidate. According to the director of clinical psychology at Emory, "The result is that partisan beliefs are calcified, and the person can learn very little from new data." Calcified minds trying to lead the world - no wonder the world is having so much trouble following.


But the story doesn't end with the conclusion that these people are not engaged in any thinking or learning. Never wanting to be denied a good buzz whenever party time rolls around, the brains in these folks actually register a reward for non-thinking and non-learning. With their minds made up in advance, the research showed that the partisan brain registers a response akin to a drug addict getting a fix whenever they seize upon their biased conclusions. These numbskulls (i.e., their heads are literally numb!) are getting high in the process of ignoring facts or any other form of data and information that doesn't align with their party-approved agenda!

Their skulls may be numb, but they're making my skull hurt. I think two days of golf are now required. See you Sunday.