Author: Sarah Ruger / Source: Big Think
- Human beings are psychologically hardwired to fear differences
- Several recent studies show evidence that digital spaces exacerbate the psychology which contributes to tribalism
- Shared experiences of awe, such as space travel, or even simple shared meals, have surprising effectives for uniting opposing groups
The year was fraught to say the least.
Riots in the streets, engagement abroad in a long-fought war, and an encroaching sense that the fabric that knits us together is pulling at the seams.
Still a single sentence from it all speaks to our ability to come together: “Thank you for saving 1968.”
Those words of gratitude—standing out against the backdrop of a tumultuous year—arrived via telegram at NASA half a century ago following Apollo 8’s successful trip around the moon. But their lesson applies today.
Emerging research in the fields of psychology and neuroscience demonstrates that we often need a shared experience of awe, humor, or physical exertion to help transcend our differences. (Think team-building trust falls and rope courses in the woods). Fortunately, it doesn’t take a trip around the moon to bridge the deepest divides—even conversation over a cup of coffee or a meal can remind us of each other’s humanity.
What does this mean for free speech? Everything, it turns out.
We are hardwired to censor what’s unfamiliar.
Our brains’ first response to difference is not curiosity but fear or scorn. In a mid-20th century experiment called “Robber’s Cave,” researchers brought together two demographically identical groups of boys, randomly sorted them into two groups, gave them each a few days to form bonds within their “tribes,” and then kicked off a baseball competition.
The boys quickly started generalizing about the other team and drawing distinctions that didn’t exist.Even absent any particular reason to be in…
The post We can accept our differences – it’s better than killing each other appeared first on FeedBox.