Stone Age Brain

Rick Shenkman is the author of "Political Animals:  How Our Stone Age Brain Gets in the Way of Smart Politics" (Basic Books, 2016). You can sign up for Rick's blog! Just submit your email address below and you'll receive an email every time he blogs. It's free. Your email will never be sold or transferred.

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  Jun 3, 2017 12:26 pm
  

  When Will Trump Voters Realize They've Been Had?

  by Rick Shenkman

  History suggests we will have to wait awhile. 
  

• 
  May 5, 2017 4:34 pm
  

  Don't Trump's Voters Care About the Truth?

  by Rick Shenkman

  The fact is few voters do.  
  

• 
  Apr 30, 2017 8:11 pm
  

  No, Democrats Shouldn't Learn to Hate Like the Right

  by Rick Shenkman

  Anger closes peoples' minds and destroys democracy. 
  

• 
  Feb 15, 2017 2:00 am
  

  Russiagate

  by Rick Shenkman

  And what it means when we have a president who lies.
  

• 
  Oct 22, 2016 4:24 pm
  

  Are Voters Easily Manipulated?

  by Rick Shenkman

  This election is helping answer this age-old question.
  

• 
  Oct 20, 2016 12:25 pm
  

  Thank You Donald Trump. Seriously. Thank You.

  by Rick Shenkman

  For 8 years Rick Shenkman struggled to draw public attention to the problem of Low Information Voters without much luck. Then Donald Trump came along.
  

• 
  Sep 22, 2016 5:34 pm
  

  How to Watch the Debates

  by Rick Shenkman

  An almost sure-fire method of determining how the candidates are trying to manipulate you. 
  

• 
  Aug 23, 2016 12:48 pm
  

  How to Become Better Informed Politically

  by Rick Shenkman

  An interview with Rick Shenkman by AMFM Magazine.
  

• 
  Aug 18, 2016 10:50 am
  

  Democracy Failed Us in this Election. We Need to Admit that.

  by Rick Shenkman

  But what can we do about it? That's the hard question.
  

• 
  Aug 11, 2016 11:50 am
  

  Why Is Trump So Popular?

  by Rick Shenkman

  What science says.
  

• 
  Jul 22, 2016 6:34 am
  

  Yes, It's Time to Panic

  by Rick Shenkman

  Brace yourselves. Donald Trump is coming for you.
  

• 
  May 5, 2016 11:36 am
  

  Why the Media Underestimated Trump's Appeal

  by Rick Shenkman

  They made the mistake they always make. 
  

• 
  Apr 26, 2016 2:11 pm
  

  How Our Stone-Age Brain Undermines Smart Politics: An Interview with Rick Shenkman

  by Rick Shenkman

  Click here for the interview.
  

• 
  Apr 17, 2016 4:05 pm
  

  Bill Moyers Interview with Rick Shenkman

  by Rick Shenkman

  In Bill Moyers's first published podcast he talks with Rick Shenkman about the role anger is playing in the election.
  

• 
  Apr 17, 2016 3:55 pm
  

  C-SPAN Interview: Book Discussion on Political Animals

  by Rick Shenkman

  Author Rick Shenkman talked about his book, Political Animals: How Our Stone-Age Brain Gets in the Way of Smart Politics, about how voters' instincts are a factor in the 2016 presidential campaign.
  

• 
  Apr 8, 2016 4:08 pm
  

  Why Are Trump Voters Not Bothered by His Lies?

  by Rick Shenkman

  The answer may cause angst in us all, says Rick Shenkman.
  

• 
  Apr 2, 2016 5:15 pm
  

  Your Brain on Politics (Video)

  by Rick Shenkman

  What we need to know about the brain to protect ourselves from manipulative politicians. By Rick Shenkman
  

• 
  Feb 26, 2016 10:47 pm
  

  Just How Stupid Are We? Facing the Truth About Donald Trump's America

  by Rick Shenkman

  Click here to read this article.
  

• 
  Feb 22, 2016 7:57 pm
  

  For Voters, Facts Should Be the Lifeblood of Democracy

  by Rick Shenkman

  But if voters suddenly understood issues and facts, would we live in a democratic Camelot? Until 1988, no one knew.
  

• 
  Feb 13, 2016 8:17 pm
  

  Our Brain Dislikes Disorder.  That Explains a Lot.

  by Rick Shenkman

  It's another reason Trump's winning followers.  In a world of disorder he promises order. -- Rick Shenkman