When presented with a danger or threat, cortisol is released into our bloodstream, producing heightened alertness. We are more receptive. It’s why fears relating to immigration and identity were used during the Brexit campaign; why fears relating to a breakaway “black state”, “beaches being taken away” and “separate laws, separate economies and separate leaders” are being propagated by the no campaign; and why Peter Dutton is using words such as “suspicion” and “deceive”.
Should the yes campaign respond with their own fears? No. It never worked for us in the UK. When the government’s contingency planning document for no-deal Brexit, Operation Yellowhammer, was leaked to the press, it was a veritable smorgasbord of horror stories. Yet while factual, it was labelled as Project Fear (as would be the case in Australia) and was quickly forgotten about.
