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Forum: Opinion Topic: Tribalism vs Community started by: stardust14 Posted by stardust14 on Oct. 15 2015,5:43 pm
Libertarians claim Individualism. Nationalists claim nations. A zillion -isms among the religious. None of these can escape a natural tendency towards tribalism. Tribes within tribes within tribes. Groups(tribes) are everywhere in societies. There are also groups known as communities. Our founding fathers attempted to create an environment for community, as they fled tribalism in Europe. Their ideas have had limited success but at least they tried. Community tolerates inclusion. Tribalism promotes exclusion. E.O. Wilson, the socio-biologist, has done extensive studies on tribalism, both human and non-human. Extensive scientific evidence showing our tribal tendencies is available. It begins at birth and matures. But few here are interested in science. The Middle East and Africa are ground zero for tribalism. Others around the world are tribalistic, but also employ community to dull the pain and suffering tribalism creates. Since politics is the only show in town here I'll concede to its grip. Who among the candidates appeals most to tribes persons? I choose Trump and Ted Cruz. They both promote exclusion and insect-like behavior, while appealing to the most primal instincts. Humans are eusocial---the highest level of organization of animal sociality, is defined by the following characteristics: cooperative brood care (including brood care of offspring from other individuals), overlapping generations within a colony of adults, and a division of labour into reproductive and non-reproductive groups. The division of labor creates specialized behavioral groups within an animal society which are sometimes called castes. Eusociality is distinguished from all other social systems because individuals of at least one caste usually lose the ability to perform at least one behavior characteristic of individuals in another caste. That means we use similar survival methods as ants, termites, and possibly a dozen other insects. One big difference between ants and humans is the ability of individual humans to use emotions in dealing with others, which leads to community. Conclusion: due to a myriad of unknown reasons humans of late are choosing actions/ideas based less and less upon emotion; and regressing to animal instincts around tribalism. Humanity needs another Renaissance. Posted by Rosalind_Swenson on Oct. 15 2015,8:37 pm
I think too many humans are choosing ideas/behaviors based on at least one emotion. Hate. Sure seems to be a lack of empathy and compassion. There are some people who genuinely care about and for others, it just seems like it's lessening. Partly I think it's because so many now can be nameless and faceless and vent their hatred to large numbers of people? Anger spreads, hatred spreads. Also I think too many just plain don't THINK about their words and actions. Too many just plain DON'T THINK. QUOTE Humanity needs another Renaissance. That'd be nice. I'm optimistic about it happening. Mostly. Posted by stardust14 on Oct. 15 2015,10:56 pm
It's odd that so many folks see human history(their lives) within the context of the last few centuries, last few decades, last few weeks, days. They fail to see or believe humans spent the vast percentage of existance in small groups and tribes. Like climate change they don't WANT to see it. History doesn't fit their personal well-processed tidy lives. I see it all the time on this site as well as others...and in real world experience.We are more than yesterday's news. |