On the perils of tribalism, authentic connections and digital breaks!
The need to belong to a tribe is great, yet absolutist tribalism leads down a dangerous path.
Good Day!
How did your week go? As you may be aware, I am on a social media detox, and to be honest, I have been away for a while and minimising my time online - I had loved ones here and attended a Rwandan Youth Conference in the UK!
A Thought
Seeing so many Rwandans in the same place made me think of what we now call tribalism. Today's contemplation is sombre, focusing on the perils of tribalism.
Tribalism is a strong attachment to one's tribe or social group. While having a sense of belonging might be psychologically soothing, going too far with tribalism can be quite hazardous.
We fail to realise our shared humanity when we view the world through a "us versus them" lens. Tribalism, at its most extreme, produces distrust, conflict, and violence.
Tribalism has historically resulted in widespread discrimination, violence, genocide, and misery. We see individuals outside our tribe as less than human when we define our identity too tightly along tribal lines.
This makes dehumanising or mistreating them simpler. Tribalism leads us to disregard individual distinctions and criticise whole communities based on the acts of a few. It results in incorrect assumptions and hurtful stereotyping.
Rigid tribal allegiances impede growth. We face several issues that cross national, ethnic, religious, and tribal lines. Climate change, poverty, and terrorism are all issues that a single group cannot remedy. They necessitate collaboration across tribal lines.
The variety of modern communities makes exclusive tribalism unfeasible. In our daily lives, we interact with people from various backgrounds.
A tribal mindset will isolate us and hinder our ability to comprehend others. Compassion for all individuals, regardless of tribe affiliation, is required to establish a more equitable and peaceful society.
The need to belong to a tribe is great, yet absolutist tribalism leads down a dangerous path.
As we address humanity's most pressing issues, we must resist the temptation to divide into tribal groupings. Focusing on our shared ideals and beliefs is the only way ahead.
My views put me in certain groups, but one thing I'm working on is being more compassionate and understanding!
2 Quotes
“The purpose of a camera is to capture memories, not replace them”- Abhijit Naskar
Over-documenting events with cameras can make us detached observers in our own lives. Compulsively capturing experiences through a viewfinder prevents full immersion in the present. If we spend our time orchestrating photos, we are not fully engaged. We inadvertently put up a barrier between ourselves and the people with us. Authentic connection is compromised.Posting Less, Doing More. Comparing Less, Reflecting More. Discussing Less, Accomplishing More.
A digital break gives you time to do things that technology takes away from you. We can focus on reading books, talking to each other, watching nature, playing games, and cooking food when we don't have to deal with constant pings and alerts. When we are away from screens, our thoughts and bodies are more busy. We don't just passively consume, we create.
3 Reads
I want to extend my gratitude to you for spending your time with me, and I hope to see you again soon in the next edition!