Tribalism is both natural and poisonous.
It is natural, because we have evolved to band together. Banding together in tribes made our survival and procreation much more reliable. We could aid each other in hunting and in defense. It was beneficial to treat outsiders as threats, since tribes frequently battled for resources and enslaved one another.
Even in modern times being a part of a tribe can give us benefit. It makes us feel like we are a part of something larger than ourselves. It confers status among like minded individuals. When we join a company, charity or team with benevolent aims, the teamwork is aided by tribal feelings.
So, where is it poisonous? Tribalism leads to groupthink. Your thinking atrophies as you default to the group opinion. Therefore, tribalism closes your mind and becomes a barrier to rethinking in a world where an open mind and trying different perspectives is more likely to lead to success. It is especially dangerous in political discourse.
You see people outside your group as a threat, not worthy, not smart enough and wrong. It also gives rise to a preference for being against the members of other tribes, instead of for great ideas.
Embrace the benefits, and resist the rest. That type of tribalism is both natural and poisonous; fight it!
Just my opinion. What do you think? Let me know in the comments.
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