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Rowan Sanan (he/him/his), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

Think back to when you were young, dear reader. Were you a part of a close-knit group? Maybe you bonded over something. Comics, books, maybe a type of sport you played, or a particular influencer or band you knew. 

Now think further. Did you ever reject anyone from hanging out with you because they didn’t like the same thing? 

Despite the growing interconnectedness of our world through technology and the internet, the presence of tribalism and nationalism remains. You’d think that with a greater thirst for and availability of knowledge, humanity would put aside their differences and come together as a greater community. 

Well, that’s clearly not the truth. 

Conformity is the direct result of these two tendencies. Tribalism, once used as a method for survival throughout history, is no longer all that it’s cracked up to be. It’s divisive. Cliquey. Think hardcore sports fans or the intense followers of a niche artist that gatekeep their art from everyone else.

Still, it’s not all rooted in bad intentions. Some “tribes” are made to exclude others. Indeed, some provide a safe, secure space for people with similar thoughts, ideas and opinions to express themselves. 

Nationalism has a similar effect. In theory, it’s not such a bad thing. Being passionate about where you’re from and the place you live is perfectly fine. Still, there is a line that is crossed time and time again when nationalism becomes a sense of superiority. Nationalism can unite people, but it can divide just as easily as those who are not part of the greater nation are ignored and excluded. 

What does that mean for us? 

It’s so incredibly easy to conform to these sets of ideals because it’s pretty much wired into us as humans. We crave connection, the feeling of belonging and the need for identity. That is why tribalism and nationalism are so potent. They use our basic human instincts to bring us together . . . but also drive us apart. 

There isn’t anything wrong with being a part of a group of people with a common interest or goal. The problem is when it becomes ostracizing. Marginalizing. When it pushes individuals to conform instead of allowing them the free will to choose to participate for themselves, without changing their personal beliefs and opinions. 

Social media and the internet have only increased these tribalistic and nationalistic tendencies. Algorithms prioritize beliefs, biases and division. Have you noticed that on any given Instagram post, the comments will always have one person disagreeing, whether aggressively or peacefully? That person is either agreed with or ostracized entirely depending on the context, giving no room for conversation or peaceful interaction. Politics and the media do the same thing. They rally support by creating tribalistic groups to face their opponents with groups who will hang on their every word because of a handful of connected ideals. 

This bandwagon effect of conformity is so easy because we are surrounded by it 24/7 thanks to the internet and media. Confirmation biases lead people to affirm only their own beliefs and to ignore critical thinking. We see other people’s opinions change and we think, “Hey, maybe I should think that way too. Everyone else seems to be doing it.”

Breaking free from these tribalistic and nationalistic tendencies is as easy as a conscious effort involving education, inclusion, and self-awareness. 

We must question our beliefs and biases to seek diverse perspectives, challenging narratives pushed upon us to find our own opinions and ideas. We can hold empathy towards others—and maybe cause a little less comment section discourse in the media. 

Educating each other on these issues is essential too, and this can be achieved through fostering empathy from a young age to recognize the dignity of all people, regardless of what groups we belong to. That is also why inclusivity is so vital, because it directly conflicts with the ideas of divisive tribalism and nationalism. Dialogue and understanding are so important in building an interconnected world. 

Still, belonging to groups who share a particular opinion or goal isn’t a bad thing. It’s probably best for everyone to find people who they agree with and can talk to about their interests and passions. We just have to be mindful. We have to be open and welcoming. We have to push aside our biases and disagreements to create a more inclusive and compassionate society. 

It sounds impossible, but if enough people can be self-aware enough to try, it’s always possible to achieve. 

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Rowan is a university student who loves to write books and poetry, read all kinds of books, and spend time with his family and pets.