* **The Target:** Heath suggests the rebellion is less about economic inequality and more about the power of **cognitive elites**—those whose analytical expertise drives policy that appears counter-intuitive to the average person. The rise of populism is seen as a rejection of the cognitive burden and constant self-correction demanded by a modern, highly rationalized world.

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## The Role of Modern Communication

The article suggests that **social media** and the rapid-fire pace of modern communication accelerate this problem. The digital environment favors fast, reactive, intuitive responses (System 1) while actively discouraging the slow, reflective effort required for analytical thinking (System 2). This environment removes traditional media gatekeepers, allowing populist messages to directly appeal to and amplify popular intuitions.

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