Ideological Tribalism

If someone were to ask me what my political affiliations were, I would tell them left-leaning but mostly agnostic. I say that because I recognize that I’m a product of my environment, just like many Christians, Hindus, Muslims and others throughout history.

I’m agnostic because I resigned a long time ago from being cocksure of the beliefs and values that were taught to me as I was growing up. Partially, I grew tired of having an opinion, because the only purpose it served was to reinforce a superficial affinity with those who were on ‘my side’, and keep me separated from those who weren’t. Also, I was not always aware that the values I held were in fact taught.

I won’t stand by this statement, nor try and back it up, but I have an overwhelming urge to yell at all of you, “Your opinion does not fucking matter!” I say that because there’s so much noise, so many arguments, so many people emoting, on social media or otherwise. The content that I see and hear is mostly colored blue, though I know that much of it is just as unreasonable and flawed as the content that’s red.

Don’t get me wrong--people do sometimes make good points, and arguments. I think the problem with people today in the US, and similar countries, is that everyone has already picked their side, and much of their ideology is not based on a solid foundation of existing evidence. It doesn’t help either, that from every angle, fingers are being pointed at every piece of evidence that does exist–the accusation being “lies!”

It’s unfortunate that most arguments, even with the best intentions and goodwill towards humanity in heart, turn into pissing competitions. And if you secretly recognize that some evidence presented from the other side is valid, you must find a way to pull the rug out from underneath it. It couldn’t possibly be true, because you’re right, right? It’s worked for me, to abandon, as much as I can, the preconceptions and assumptions that I’ve walked around this world with. And what good are they, when their only use is to reinforce those who already agree with me, and be heavily ignored or disregarded by those who disagree.

The fatal flaw of any debate is the fact that it is a debate. You, as one arguer, have already made up your mind so you’re generally not open to considering any counter points. So often your pride and your identity are staked in the ideologies that you assert, so you must defend them against the other person who attacks, and attack theirs in return. Really the point of a “debate,” though most people are ignorant of this, is to make intellectual progress and find truth. This cannot be done when your counterpart is your enemy.

Real progress can be made in an environment that is non-threatening. I know this may sound like over-sensitive, liberal hype, but I assure you it’s not. Though I’m not a professional on this subject by any means, I believe this is basic human psychology. If your pride and your beliefs are not being threatened, you’re much more willing to question your own opinions, and that’s what it takes to make true progress. People on both sides being willing to do that is the only way we can find common ground. If you’re willing to question your own convictions, free from the motive of reaffirmation, you will be standing on much more solid ground of clarity, sanity and purpose behind what you believe.

In most cases, I believe that points of contention can be chalked up to misunderstanding and tribalism. When it boils down to it, as people, we're mostly the same. Sometimes different opinions, when sifted through the reeds, can come simply from differences in nature or approach to life. Some beliefs are stemmed so deeply, that they are beyond the point of argument, like taste in art or music. A perfect example, if you remove the complication factor of religion, is the issue of abortion. With all medical and scientific knowledge established, if someone believes that human life shouldn’t be taken, there’s not much more that can be said. They aren’t wrong for believing what they do, nor are you, if you’ve taken the counter-argument.

In conclusion, this writing has been part venting and part appeal, to people who have been bound by their own beliefs and perhaps recognize the divide amongst people of the United States or otherwise, and their part in it. I’m hoping that people can find it within themselves to detach from their pride or personal stake in the ideas they’ve held, to try and understand those who believe differently, even if those people or ideas are those that they hate. What harm can it really do? If all this is actually practiced, then I believe we will actually be doing what we’ve been pretending to do for so long–make the world better.