There is a cover story for why the US attacked Iran. One that is almost believable. The argument goes like this:

Iran was developing a drone and missile program rather like the Iron Dome that would make it "impossible" for the US to bomb them, and that would mean it's impossible to stop them if they wanted to make nuclear weapons. So they had to be stopped from doing this now.

Does Iran have the right to defend itself? It's an ugly argument.

Trump has said he will "bomb them back into the stone age" -- This is the solution they have. Cripple anyone who might become able to defend themselves. Every time I hear the phrase "bomb them back into the stone age" a little bile rises in my throat. I'm an American. How must this seem to the people of Iran. What will they vow to do because of our childish chauvinism?

This view of non-western countries is common. It will be our undoing.

But the other point, (which I got side-tracked from thinking about the phrase "bomb them into the stone age" ... ) is that the cover story I just articulated is too complex for Trump to even attempt to communicate. That is his diabolical populist instinct. He never confuses his base. Never uses big words or ideas.

Never makes them learn anything since for some people the feeling of learning makes them feel ... stupid.

And how do you unpack that? How do you deprogram someone from a place where learning things, and realizing how little they know is so horrible?

It's impossible to learn if you cannot admit that you do not already know everything you need to know about the world.

I think people *do* feel bad about what they don't know. Like not being able to find Iran on a map. That can feel embarrassing. But we can look at the maps. Read the history.

I think the shame and that can be induced by learning new things is tied to an essentialist and immutable view of what it means to be intelligent and wise.

For them "Intelligence" isn't something that you do, for these people it's something that you *are*

But this is false. To be intelligent you simply need to be open to learning new things every day. Willing to grow. That's it.