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In the midst of the next presidential election cycle, Rick Shenkman (formerly managing editor of Seattle’s KIRO-TV) will show how Donald Trump uses fear and anger to appeal to huge crowds–with science. He’ll analyze the intersection of science and politics to explain how human instinct shapes voting decisions, why people are susceptible to politicians’ appeals, and why people don’t seem care when politicians are caught lying. In his book Political Animals: How Our Stone-Age Brain Gets in the Way of Smart Politics, he explains how sports, natural disasters, and other factors change the way people think about the world–and those running for office. In an attempt to alter the course the “animal” side of the human brain tends to take, he’ll highlight the work of scientists who are pioneering new ways of understanding the world around us. (While he’s at it, he’ll also explain how to take control of these instincts to make the brain work in our favor during stressful times like election season.)
Presented by: Town Hall and University Book Store, as part of the Civics series.
Series supported by:
and 
and the True-Brown Foundation.
Series media sponsorship provided by:
