Having information isn’t the same thing as processing it. That means there will always be a place for brands, both in politics and in commerce — because the power of brands comes from helping people simplify their decision making. Even so, you can always grab a few eyeballs by making…
To Fight Poverty, Fight the Ultimate Attribution Error
Republicans in Congress forced the expiration of unemployment benefits for millions of Americans this weekend — an unprecedented move when long-term unemployment rates are this high. How could they be so cruel? Fighting poverty isn’t just a matter of making people care about the less fortunate — it’s about branding…
Psychology Says We Should Have Prosecuted
One of the most beautiful miracles of humanity is the contradiction of reason. We’re blessed with the capacity to reason carefully — but we’re not disposed to most of the time. Nowhere is this principle more clear than in economics, where academics and practitioners have developed advanced theories of utility…
Why Gun Control Is Key to Democrats’ Future
Not all Democratic policy priorities are created equal. Some have the potential to go beyond improving society and making a positive difference in people’s lives — by laying the structural or ideological foundations for a lasting Democratic majority. Gun control is one of those foundational, dual-benefit policies. Usually such policies…