Dr Jamin Halberstadt, a professor in the department of psychology, University of Otago, grew up in the United States.
He held a presidential election gathering with fellow expatriates at his Dunedin home last Wednesday as results showed Republican Donald Trump triumphed over Democrat Hillary Clinton.
How did this happen?
In my amateur view, it was via a toxic mix of economic discontent, social disenfranchisement, wishful thinking, media enablement, sexism, and ignorance, plus a master alchemist who knows how to mix them effectively.
What is your first memory of Donald?
Before The Apprentice, I thought of "Trump'' only as a brand, not giving any thought to whether there was an actual human behind the name. I've since reverted to my original opinion.
What is your least favourite thing about humanity?
A three-way tie between hubris, magical thinking and ethno/nationalism.
What will become of the United States?
Best case scenario: nothing much, because sane and courageous politicians (admittedly in short supply) work to keep him in check.
Worst case scenario: effectively permanent roll-back of human rights and civil discourse. If there's any silver lining to the election, however, it's that Trump is unpredictable, not a True Believer; he can't be counted on to do the wrong thing.
What is your message?
Avoid generalisations at all times.
