Tribalism is natural and often hideous. But over many years,
it had been tamed – to some extent.
Every group has historical grievances. These are incited and
nurtured by demagogues (mostly politicians) as a matter of course. They are even
assisted by some who actually want to be seen as victims, very odd way to seek
(and find) status. Strange but
apparently true.
Retrogressing, we get more tribalism. The consequences range
from awful to catastrophic.
There is a new ingredient. Jonathan Haidt and Martin Gurri
(and others) note that social media (especially “like” buttons and the re-tweet
option) magnify the tendency to vilify and tribalize. We get more polarization,
in politics, in media, in the arts.
Print media outlets have lost advertising revenue and pander
for subscribers any way they can, including pushing tribalist themes. (NYT
“1619 Project” and many more.)
Many elites have been cowed and/or displaced – with positive
and negative consequences. Think about groupthink in schools and universities. Grievance
studies. These elites lose credibility.
Can we right the ship? Various thinkers, including Haidt and
Gurri and others, are pointing the way.
Godspeed. Happy July 4.
ADDED
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grievance_studies_affair
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/10/new-sokal-hoax/572212/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlKPK7J206gIV0z2tBh0pHQp-EAAYASAAEgJnvvD_BwE
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