SPOS #955 – Michael Morris On Tribes And Togetherness

Welcome to episode #955 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Michael Morris is a renowned cultural psychologist at Columbia University, where he teaches in both the Graduate School of Business and the Psychology Department. With previous teaching stints at Stanford University and a rich educational background from the University of Michigan and Brown University, Michael has dedicated his career to exploring how culture shapes the way we think, communicate, and collaborate. His research delves into the idea that while our genetic programming primes us to learn from our communities, the actual content of what we learn is deeply influenced by the cultural environments we're immersed in. In our conversation, Michael discusses his book, Tribal - How The Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Bring Us Together. He challenges the often negative connotations associated with tribalism, aiming to reclaim the term by highlighting its positive aspects. Michael explains that tribal psychology is an inherent part of human nature, encompassing instincts for solidarity, imitation, and the perpetuation of traditions. While tribalism can lead to division and conflict, he argues that these same instincts can also foster unity and collective action when harnessed constructively. We delve into real-world examples, including recent tribal conflicts and protests at institutions like Columbia Business School. Michael sheds light on why individuals engage passionately in such issues and how tradition and nostalgia play significant roles in tribal dynamics. He emphasizes that technology and social media aren't solely to blame for societal divisions - rather, these platforms amplify existing human tendencies rooted in our psychology. If you're curious about how our cultural instincts shape our interactions and how we can leverage them to bring people together, Michael's perspective provides a thoughtful and hopeful outlook. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:01:13.
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• Here is my conversation with Michael Morris.
• Tribal - How The Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Bring Us Together.
• Columbia University.
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• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction and Background.
• (03:38) - Understanding Tribal Psychology.
• (06:01) - The Constructive and Destructive Aspects of Tribalism.
• (08:59) - Reclaiming the Word ‘Tribal'.
• (21:05) - The Role of Technology in Tribalism.
• (27:28) - The Potential for Collective Action and Solutions.
• (30:30) - Tribal Conflicts at Columbia Business School.
• (36:18) - The Role of Tradition and Nostalgia in Tribalism.
• (41:45) - Distinguishing Cults from Religions.
• (52:34) - The Power of Nostalgia and Conformity.
• (58:54) - Harnessing Tribal Psychology for Positive Outcomes.