Why Can't We All Just Get Along?

Our society is more divided now than at any point in my memory.

We live in a richer, safer, healthier and more educated world than ever before. So why do conversations about politics and religion so often turn sour?

Two reasons:

1 - Novel information pathways

Social media has created echo chambers which validate our worldview and vilify others'. As we navigate the platforms, liking and commenting on what we find interesting, clever algorithms work to present us with further information that is similar in content.

When all we are exposed to is information that affirms our point of view and disparages others’, it's no wonder that we struggle to understand how the people we disagree with managed to arrive at their positions.

2 - We are tribal beings

Throughout all of human history, intergroup conflict has been a persistent feature. As a consequence, a key determiner of individual success has been the ability form and maintain coalitions that are able to fend off attacks from rival groups.

We are descended from the successful tribalists of the past, not their individualistic cousins.

Evolution has shaped our minds to feel a sense of extreme loyalty to members of our group and scepticism of members of rival groups.

Put these two ingredients together and you have a recipe for conflict.

Social media has the effect of putting our tribalism into overdrive.

It is the greatest group formation vehicle ever conceived. It allows you to find a niche of people who think exactly the same way as you.

Without intentionally exposing yourself to a diverse range of opinions, it is impossible to ever scrutinise your own point of view.

John Stewart Mill put it best:

"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that."