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Modern Wisdom
#874 - Michael Morris - Why Are We More Divided Than Ever?
Dec 7, 2024
Michael Morris, a professor of cultural psychology at Columbia University and author, dives into the deep waters of tribalism. He explores why humans naturally gravitate toward groups, touching on the evolutionary benefits and costs of this tendency. Morris discusses how language shapes social preferences more than race and examines the impact of technology on today's polarized societies. He also highlights the interplay between courage and community in challenging times, advocating for dialogue to bridge the increasing divides in modern life.
01:38:50
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Quick takeaways
- Tribalism, rooted in human evolution, fosters collaboration while also sometimes leading to hostility towards those outside the group.
- The fragmentation of media and residential sorting intensifies political tribalism, limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints and increasing in-group favoritism.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Tribalism
Tribalism has been ingrained in human psychology as an evolutionary strategy that fostered survival and collaboration within culture-sharing groups. Humans developed social quirks that enabled them to live in larger groups, enhancing their ability to share resources and knowledge across generations. This cultural evolution allowed humans to adapt better to their environments without necessarily requiring an increase in intelligence. Though tribal instincts can sometimes lead to negative behaviors, they also underlie many significant social achievements that are beneficial to society.
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