Cognitive ability is a powerful predictor of political tolerance
I can say that tolerance requires a capability for abstraction that is not intuitive to everyone. When we take things personally or respond emotionally, it is because we have reached the limit of our ability to reason about them abstractly. An example would be someone attached to a solution to a problem at work. They reach for emotional tools when they run out of ability to reason about it as categories or as objects. Some people don't bother with abstract reason at all and just act with whatever tools on whatever makes them central. The most seductive aspect of a lot of current political discourse is that it elevates and centers people with limited cognitive ability and offers them redemption and exaltation in exchange for channeling their smaller urges like envy and malice. It's an ancient hustle, imo.<p>Politically and physically, it doesn't matter how intelligent you or your group are if you are outnumbered by a herd that responds to the appeals and actuation of its lower instincts. Enjoy the ride. The whole thing is quite a spectacle.