I think Daniel Kahneman's book 'Thinking, fast and slow' lays out a very good framework for thinking about thinking. To summarize: People have two strategies f

I think Daniel Kahneman's book 'Thinking, fast and slow' lays out a very good framework for thinking about thinking. To summarize: People have two strategies for thinking: System 1 (fast, reactive) and system 2 (slow, methodical). System 1 works quickly but is less accurate; it's more about pattern-matching and reacting to new information. This type of thinking was historically useful to quickly detect and react to predators (fight or flight response). System 2 works slowly and is more accurate, it's about synthesizing information with existing information, calculating and critical thinking. An interesting point made in the book is that most people cannot effectively use system 2 thinking when they're doing strenuous exercise or when they're under significant stress. Try multiplying 2+ digit numbers in your head while doing strenuous exercise. I think this book neatly explains why fear is a good way to control a population; it suppresses people's system 2 thinking abilities and makes them lean more on inaccurate system 1 pattern-matching and makes them highly reactive (easily 'triggered'?)... Then the media can exploit this reactive system 1 state of mind (looking for a predator to fight or run from) to send people off on a wild goose chase in all directions (and pitch them against one another) to distract them from what's really going on.