So what’s the frackin’ hurry?

DUCK!

Deep between your ears, there is a set of neurological structures called the limbic system. One of its functions is to help the organism detect threats and respond to them more quickly than the rational mind can manage. If you’ve ever jumped into fight-or-flight mode because of something you saw out of the corner of your eye, or because of a sudden warning shout or unidentified noise, you’ve felt your limbic system in action.

Your limbic system really can save your life. For some of you, it already has, maybe more than once. It has its disadvantages, though. For one, since it bypasses your rational mind, you don’t really get a chance to contemplate your options in a thoughtful manner, or fully evaluate the possible consequences. So yeah, you might successfully leap away from a charging crocodile, but end up splatting into a quicksand bog instead.

Another disadvantage is that it’s not 100 percent accurate. In the interest of “erring on the side of caution,” it’s designed to set you off even when confronted by things that only look like dire threats. Experiencing a strong limbic reaction, furthermore, takes a great toll on your system. Having too many such experiences in a row without a chance to process them properly can leave you exhausted, disoriented and defenseless.

One way the limbic system works is by recognizing patterns. (If you can detect the tiger moving through the tall grasses by the shifting pattern of stripes, you stand a better chance of avoiding or surviving attack.) But your conscious mind can do this too, albeit not as swiftly. So you might, if you think about it, recognize a pattern between three seemingly unrelated phenomena: the invasion of Iraq; the push for increased gas and oil drilling, both locally and offshore; and the recent financial “bailout” arrangement. In all three cases, we were informed of supposedly dire emergencies requiring immediate action: “We know exactly what needs to be done and it must be done right now! Quick! Not a moment to lose!”

Here’s another disadvantage of the limbic system: it can be manipulated by others. A skilled demagogue can design messages (“Higher taxes!” “He’ll take away your guns!”) geared to engender reflexive, unthinking actions that only further the demagogue’s goals.

Fortunately, the American people, as a whole and as individuals, have begun to wake up to this technique. The initial reaction to the financial bailout was heartening in this regard. People were immediately suspicious of the speed that was being urged, and as it happened those suspicions proved fully justified.

When a crisis comes upon us, it is the responsibility of leaders not only to urge action, but to explain to citizens the rationale for such action, and the range of possible consequences, both positive and negative. Absent such guidance, when someone tries to stampede the public it is our responsibility as citizens to yank back on the reins, dig in our heels, and say, “Hey, just a minute here…!”

In these next weeks, as the election nears—and especially after the election—prepare to have your chains yanked, your buttons pushed and your fears targeted. Watch out for the sudden panics, the urgent calls to arms, the dire warnings delivered by authoritative voices.

Ready?

PS: While in North Carolina recently, I had the good fortune to catch a talk at a local bookstore by author Thomas Frank, who wrote a book you might know about already called “What’s the Matter With Kansas?” His latest is called “The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule,” and I would highly recommend reading it before Election Day.

- Skip Mendler