Thread by @duty2warn

THREAD
1- When we roll our eyes at MAGA, we're often asking the wrong question. Instead of: "How can they believe this nonsense", we should ignore what they say they believe, and instead ask "what IS it about being in MAGA that makes them so willing to suppress reasoned thought?"

2 - There are a lot of answers to the question of what they get out of MAGA. First and foremost is "the need to belong." They can dislike and defy the same people, share common grievances, do stuff together. It's a brotherhood of purpose. AND it's easier to "believe," than think.

3 - We're often asked if MAGA is a cult. The short answer: YES, it is. A cult is defined by an unusual, unwavering interest or belief in a particular personality or goal, where devotion transcends reasoned thought. When you transcend reason, you transcend science, math, and fact.

4 - Here's TWO important points: FIRST - MAGA is not purely a "Cult of Personality" anymore. It's about tribal contrarianism. The goal: TO WIN (and "own libs"). Psychology studies this. MAGA are addicted to dopamine rushes they get from owning libs, and they're addicted together.

5 - The SECOND important point is that all Republicans are NOT the same. There are no groups anywhere of 10M+ that are EVER all the same! Some vote GOP through force of habit. A chunk of people who ACT like they are MAGA, don't REALLY "believe." Therein lies the eventual solution

6 - MAGA/GOP is now a full-on apparatus. ENABLERS like performative elected officials. AMPLIFIERS like Fox News, talk radio and right-wing podcasts. Foreign actors like Putin. Even a SCOTUS Justice and wife, FFS!! It's spread like a plague, infecting many of our most susceptible.

7 - What do they do? What is their weapon? FALSE NARRATIVES. FEAR MONGERING. EMOTIONALIZING THEIR BASE. In an echo chamber; with mass repetition. Demonization. Lionization. Xenophobia. TOTAL politicization of EVERY issue. That's propaganda! The hate and rage are borne from FEAR.

8 - The flooding of emotion convinces "followers" to vote against their own interests, to confuse, to obfuscate truth and hypocrisy and obvious crimes like a coup or stealing confidential documents. And it does this WHY? To alter democracy and make it friendlier to Minority Rule!

9 - A War for Democracy IS happening, and the rules and leverage governing that war WILL be determined NOW, during THESE MIDTERMS!! We MUST be more plentiful at the polls! We MUST be smart in understanding what we really face. We must share and learn and be active. And defeat it!

10 - For democracy to prevail, enough TRUTH must prevail! If there's a single bottom line besides turnout, that's it. Citizens need to know: ONLY one side WANTS Democracy! Not all Republicans are hardcore Trumpers! Not all citizens are political creatures, but they too must vote!

11 - We made a film called #UNTRUTH. It'll make sense out of where we are and why we're here. It'll arm us AND maybe help flip a few. It's a behavioral perspective we don't EVER get in the media. It'll speak truth to ANYONE not entranced. It's a follow-up to our 2020 film #UNFIT.

12 - We'll have a SPECIAL SNEAK PREVIEW of #UNTRUTH beginning Thursday (Oct 20). It's an indie film featuring psychologists and pundits; some you know. We'll post info and links when available. We hope everyone watches. Democracy IS on the line. Truth IS stronger than lies.

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13 - PS: We're also releasing a mini version of the film, two weeks before the election, with short segments and commentary. We'll ask all to consider referring this to moderates, conservatives, and anyone you know in the middle, who you think likely won't sit for the full film.