Communities of belief vs. communities of chemistry (with Tyler Alterman)
Sep 25, 2024
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Tyler Alterman, a cognitive science researcher and co-founder of FractalU, dives into the importance of community in our lives. He discusses the differences between 'communities of belief' and 'communities of chemistry', shedding light on how trust forms in each. Tyler examines the psychological toll of effective altruism, questioning whether its ideals may promote burnout. He also explores the balance of rationality and emotion in social settings, advocating for authentic connections and the transformative power of stepping outside social norms.
Authentic communities thrive on organic connections that nurture deeper relationships, contrasting with superficial gatherings based on shared ideologies.
Communities of belief foster an immediate sense of belonging and trust, while communities of chemistry offer resilience through unspoken bonds.
Modern social dynamics necessitate understanding intrinsic values to navigate relationships, as traditional community structures become more fragmented and transient.
Deep dives
The Search for Community
Many individuals today feel a lack of community in their lives, a sentiment echoed by both urban dwellers and those in rural areas. Historically, religious institutions such as churches served as communal hubs, providing a strong sense of belonging, but modern life often lacks such unifying ties. People may participate in transient gatherings, like weekly ecstatic dance sessions, without forming deeper, sustained connections. A true community, as discussed, is one that saturates all aspects of life, fostering genuine relationships beyond superficial gatherings.
Defining Good Communities
The concept of what constitutes a good community is vital, yet often overlooked in discussions among urban idealists. Successful communities are characterized by organic connections rather than artificial constructs driven by shared ideologies or missions. Authentic relationships typically emerge when people are drawn to one another based on shared ethos, rather than codified values. However, when community ethos is overly documented or formalized, the organic nature of interactions can be compromised, sometimes resulting in a rigid atmosphere that feels less inviting.
Communities of Chemistry vs. Identity-Based Communities
Communities can be classified into those built on chemistry, where members naturally connect, and those based on identifiable characteristics like ideology or profession. For instance, being part of an effective altruism community offers a sense of belonging, enabling members to connect with mutual interests that might foster transitivity in trust and assistance. However, while identity-based communities create strong connections, they may lack the depth of interpersonal relationships found in chemistry-based communities. The richness of shared experiences in organic communities fosters deeper friendships that can endure life transitions.
Understanding Value Alignment
Value alignment within communities, especially those based on beliefs or ideologies, can create a sense of shared purpose, but often remains limited in scope. Specifically in effective altruism, shared motivations tend to be articulated explicitly, which can lead to a narrow focus of connection among members. In contrast, the varied experiences and unspoken bonds formed in chemistry-based communities foster broader and deeper relationships that are harder to define but more resilient. Such nuanced connections may involve implicit understandings that go beyond articulated values, providing a richer community experience.
The Importance of Interpersonal Trust
The development of trust within communities is essential, but it varies significantly between chemistry-oriented and identity-based groups. In identity-based communities, trust can be more easily established due to a shared belief system that binds members together, often leading to acts of kindness like offering shelter to one another. Meanwhile, in purely chemistry-based communities, trust is more delicate and may not extend easily among acquaintances. Thus, while belief-and-identity based connections create immediate safety nets, the relational depth fostered in chemistry communities often lacks the same level of security and interdependence.
Navigating the Modern Social Landscape
The shifting dynamics of community and connection today require navigating a complex social landscape characterized by rapid changes and varied forms of interaction. In the past, community structures were more defined, often guided by durable institutions such as churches. Nowadays, however, relationships can be fleeting, requiring individuals to forge connections under new social contracts, which can feel disjointed without stable community foundations. A greater understanding of personal intrinsic values can help individuals seek and create more fulfilling connections in their social journeys.
Do people need more community in their lives? What makes for a good community? Can you really belong to a community if you don't share its core values? Is social chemistry transitive? Do "communities of belief" form and build trust more quickly than "communities of chemistry"? Do rationalists avoid taking "vibes", intuition, or instinct into account when forming communities? Can you learn how to do a thing simply by pretending that you're a pro? What can you learn about people by breaking the standard social scripts? How might utilitarianism be harmful or even dangerous to those trying to live by it? Does the effective altruism movement attract people who are prone to hyper-extend, over-commit, or over-optimize themselves to a fault? To what extent does effective altruism encourage its practitioners to live in permanent crisis mode? Where does moral obligation come from?
