Tribalism

Human social structures are evolving rapidly due to social media, mass media and high-speed transportation. The pull of tribalism is being countered by a pull to identify with the one human tribe, the human species. This greater human identity through the abandonment of tribalism is a basic element of humanism. This could be a threshold to great human progress. However, the pull of tribalism is very strong. It is fed by politicians, religious leaders, educators and parents.

Family identity is based in tribalism. Racism is based in tribalism. Team sports are based in tribalism. Nationalism is based in tribalism. War is based in tribalism. As long as the human mind is trained to see another human being as "the other", the negative effects of tribalism will hold sway on human behaviors.

The gradual effects of overpopulation may well counteract the positive effects of other factors which retard tribal reactions to perceived dangers of deprivation. Water wars have been predicted. Flooding and drought due to climate change and sea-level rise may necessitate large population shifts. Petroleum depletion may occur before adequate development of alternative energy sources. As the human population geometrically grows, it will be less possible for governments divided by nationalism and ideology to find non-violent solutions in timely response to environmental factors.  

While it may seem benign to speak of "our team", it immediately draws a line which defines "us" and "them". This may be perfectly harmless and even creative when it is done intentionally among those who share the understanding that the team is a fluid and abstract concept, applied to a specific function or activity. But, many human beings unconsciously cast their identities within the rigid boundaries of adopted or doctrinal tribes. Some Americans actually perceive themselves as somehow intrinsically different from people of other nationalities. Some religious people see themselves as intrinsically different from other religious or non-religious people. 

A shift from tribalism to humanism may be the next major human evolutionary step. Many futurists look to electronically-based solutions to human overpopulation and planetary degradation. I think this is misguided. After all, our electronic technology is fundamentally as much planet-degrading as planet-improving. A shift to humanism in combination with smart technology may well be the key to establishing a needed balance between human population and planetary environmental health.