While politics may (I question it) be the new religion, branding is definitely the new church.
Companies have adopted the attention, aesthetic principles, devotion and trust that people once reserved only for the church.
Could we go back to simply discussing ideas on their merits rather than taking sides?
"Sociologists have long understood that people rely on elite cues to form their opinions. It’s difficult to understand the nuances of every issue, so Americans generally adopt the views of people who share their values. "
I guess this will always be the case, that cue being religion, politics or other ideology.
Hah, then the communists, terrorists, etc have won. One side likes science and facts, today at least.