• lennybird@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    It clearly indicates that something is wrong with many Americans.

    Sadly I think it indicates systemic failures and Americans are the effect and much less the cause.

    What I mean is that a combination of:

    • Electoral college & Money in Politics
    • Diminishing education standards (e.g., critical-thinking skills, civics, US History)
    • “News” media-entertainment that legally spreads disinformation (combined with foreign operatives).

    … All culminates in a society that is very easily duped. I talk to Trump supporters all the time and while sure many are simply greedy psychopaths… Many are also just “nice, but kinda dumb” in that they have no capacity to parse fact from fiction and so are easily-grifted targets for lies and choir-preaching (sometimes quite literally from Sunday church).

    • Optional@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Don’t forget microplastics in the brain.

      I’m worried that’s actually going to turn out to be a thing.

      • lennybird@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        Oh for sure. No doubt does Lead exposure (firing ammunition elevates levels), boomer-era leaded gasoline (and modern aircraft), paint, etc. + Traumatic Brain Injuries (CTE) from football + Substance abuse —namely alcohol play a part. Microplastics may very well be the next thing…