Sorry if I sound like I am telling you how to solve your problems. I am not. I'm not american, I don't know
what's the best solution. I am just worried about all this shit, and I hope it doesn't end too violently.
Ok, ignore the iPhone, my point is that advertising works because of behavioral psychology. Now the same methods are
increasingly being used to mold people's thinking and turn off the rational mind. There's horrible stuff in that article I linked.
My optimism in humanity took a big hit with Trump getting elected. I agree that sincerity and good faith are good strategies,
but I also feel that what has been going on has has emotionally charged people on both sides up to a level where tribalistic base instincts are taking over. And
those instincts do not produce rational responses with regard to modern society, but rather have evolved to preserve
the individual and their closer community (family, tribe, etc.).
I'm not saying Trump's strategy is better, I am just saying that currently, it's winning. And it's winning because he's switched off sincerity
and good faith in a lot of people by making them believe they're under attack, be it by muslim terrorists or the liberal left. On a micro/personal level you can
indeed change this by engaging with people and being nice, but you're up against an advanced hate propaganda machine.