To paraphrase a famous old book character,

Those who live by hierarchy, die by the hierarchy.

What few people seem to observe and critique is the role of optimism in this culture of generating dystopias. Optimism bias:

Optimism bias or optimistic bias is a cognitive bias that causes someone to believe that they themselves are less likely to experience a negative event. It is also known as unrealistic optimism or comparative optimism. It is common and transcends gender, ethnicity, nationality, and age.[1] Autistic people are less susceptible to this kind of bias.[2] It has also been reported in other animals, such as rats and birds.[3]

Video description:

America feels broken—but how did we get here? In this video, we break down three of the biggest flaws driving modern conservative ideology and how they’ve contributed to the country’s ongoing decline. From anti-intellectualism and distrust in public institutions to the abandonment of the working class, we explore how media literacy, neoliberalism, and identity politics intersect in shaping today’s political chaos.

We take a closer look at the contradictions within conservative thinking: how calls for “Make America Great Again” ignore the reality that the golden era many long for was built on progressive policies, strong unions, and high taxes on the wealthy. We also examine how the influence of right-wing media—from Fox News to figures like Joe Rogan—fuels fear, misinformation, and reactionary politics, despite many conservatives having real, lived experiences that contradict what they’re being told.

If you’re frustrated by the current state of American politics, confused by the hypocrisy of MAGA populism, or just want a deeper understanding of how we ended up with such stark political divides, this video unpacks the economic and cultural forces at play.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you want more videos on American politics, conservative contradictions, and the battle over the future of the country.

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Introduction

00:55 Psychological Basis for Conservatism

05:21 Symptoms Not the Cause

12:34 Anti-Intellectualism

16:29 No Empathy

19:12 MAGA?

22:01 Don’t Be a Bootlicker