"By that I mean, I think that it is true that politics and political heroes have to satisfy our need to be greater than mortal in some way, and that's led them into creating illusions, sound bites, focus groups that tell you what to do"

Sydney Pollack's quote discuss the performative and typically illusory nature of politics and its leaders. When he describes the idea that politics and political heroes need to satisfy our need to be "greater than mortal", he is acknowledging a fundamental desire within societies to admire figures of amazing capability and vision. These figures are typically idealized, acting as symbols of hope, development, and the capacity for something greater than our ordinary human experience. In this context, political leaders are practically mythologized, becoming larger-than-life figures that can embody the goals and values of their fans.

Nevertheless, Pollack seriously keeps in mind that to satisfy this requirement for greatness, politics often enjoys the building and construction of "illusions". This suggests that much of what is consumed as political discourse is crafted with the objective of projecting an image instead of presenting reality. The modern political landscape, saturated with "sound bites" and crafted images, leans heavily on the ability to communicate rapidly and efficiently-- often at the expense of depth and credibility. "Sound bites" are designed to boil down intricate issues into tasty, easily digestible bits, which can sometimes result in the oversimplification of concerns.

Pollack's mention of "focus groups that tell you what to do" underscores the strategic adjustment that often takes place within political campaigns and leadership. These focus groups work as a tool to evaluate public opinion and tailor messages to fit what prospective citizens want to hear. This develops a feedback loop where political actions and messages are dictated not by genuine leadership or vision however by public expectations and desires determined through marketing research.

In essence, Pollack is critiquing the superficiality and manipulation in modern politics, which, in its quest to satisfy the general public's need for inspiring and brave figures, often turn to developing façades rather of cultivating genuine management. This ultimately raises questions about authenticity and the true nature of political leadership in a media-driven age.