Tribal reasoning is something much broader and much more common. I think we saw it very clearly with COVID, where people would refuse to get vaccinated on their deathbeds. They're trying to signal to their most trusted peers that they're a good member of their group by not getting vaccinated. It's hard to say if this is just an extreme version of it because I've seen people react this way to just about anything.
Here’s a special bonus episode featuring my recent conversation with Tim Harford, author, economic journalist, and host of the Cautionary Tales podcast. We discussed a story from my new book, How Minds Change, about a conspiracy theorist who was certain 9/11 was an inside job until he actually visited Ground Zero to meet architects, engineers and the relatives of the dead. Tim and I reflect on what he can teach us about those who hold strong beliefs even in the face of damning, contrary evidence and why persuasion, especially if attempted poorly, isn't always the right answer.
• Hear more from Cautionary Tales at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/ctsmart
• How Minds Change: https://www.davidmcraney.com/howmindschangehome