One of the tactical advantages the left has over the center/right is they give permission to overschooled but undereducated and underintelligent, immature, intellectually foppish camp followers to look at themselves as being super bright and one of the “cool kids”.

Take someone who got a bachelor’s in some BS subject like women’s English Lit, failed to thrive in the real world and ended up being a public school teacher, someone who watched as others more bright and competent (but not necessarily as schooled) than themself succeeded both in terms of material stuff and respect in the community.

The left tells that person that all they have to do is listen to NPR (an activity which also has the effect of reinforcing the narrative and screening out data which tends to shred the narrative), read all the right blogs and parrot their platitudes (understanding is not required), go to a few “candle light vigils” or “walks for ____________”, vote for the “correct” people like Obama, and they can then go about their life calling themselves very smart and savvy, and can consider themselves to be morally superior and better human beings, regardless of whether or not the facts and results support those conclusions.

Instead of opinions or voting being logically derived things based on true western values, they are badges worn at the direction of others to identify to the world (you think) that you are OK, in order to deal with your insecurities regarding your lack of success in the real world. Understanding and sincerity are not required. Simply vote for Obama, listen to NPR (and make sure you tell everyone you do), hate gun owners and Christians, and you, too, can go through life knowing that you are one of the very very smart elite ones.

It should never be underestimated how strongly this all appeals to a certain type of person.