The ancient sages of the Indian sub continent called these times the Age of Kali, an era of aggression, destruction and death. Kali was a goddess who comes with six arms brandishing swords, and a belt of severed heads dripping blood, snakes in her hair. In this age, we will fight wars until we self destruct in a ball of fire.
Scientists have identified the violent gene – Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) an enzyme that triggers aggression. The MAOA gene –located in the X chromosome- is also known as the warrior gene, since abnormal versions of the gene often result in aggressive behaviour by individuals. Anthropologists are suggesting that this gene has ‘tribal’ memory and has infected social media, creating a more divided and aggressive society
The word “tribe” defines a group who share the common interest of mutual survival and preservation of a common culture. Humans form friendship networks with people of similar occupations, interests, and habits. Social media platforms enable groups of people to form tribal relationships.
Tribalism in social media refers to the tendency of people to form groups based on shared beliefs, opinions, and values, and to interact primarily with others who hold similar views. This can lead to the formation of online communities that are insular and closed off to differing perspectives, and can contribute to polarization and divisiveness in society.
Social media platforms are designed to promote engagement and facilitate the formation of communities, which can be positive for fostering connections and shared interests. However, the algorithms used by social media platforms tend to prioritize content that reinforces users’ existing beliefs and interests, which can lead to the formation of echo chambers and filter bubbles. In such environments, users are only exposed to information and opinions that they already agree with, which can lead to a reinforcement of tribalistic tendencies.
Tribalism in social media can also lead to the spread of misinformation and the entrenchment of conspiracy theories, as members of a group may be less likely to critically evaluate information that supports their worldview.
We all look for tribes. Because we want to belong.
Tribe mentality is also a powerful force for businesses. When you cultivate a tribe around your business, you tap into something deeper than traditional marketing. You delve into atavistic neuronal genetics.
A tribe is a group of people who are connected to:
- One another.
- A leader.
- An idea.
“For millions of years, human beings have been part of one tribe or another.
A group needs only 2 things to be a tribe:
a shared interest and a way to communicate.”
Seth Godin
In the digital age, social media has become a powerful tool to spread a message, be it about a brand, based on prejudice, false truths or disinformation. It binds individuals to a collective identity and unites the lost, but also sows division. Platforms such as Twitter and Telegram send hope but also fuel a war online. Tribalism on social media is now acknowledged as the downside of technological progress, with narcissists using the platform to create a sense of in-group loyalty while simultaneously attacking those outside of the group.
This behavioural delinquency takes the form of trolling, cyberbullying, and other forms of online harassment. The MAOA gene is triggered by neurotransmission of serotonin and dopamine which comes from a sense of belonging and identity within a group. The gene reacts on a collective level to exclude those who do not share the same values or beliefs, creating a sense of animosity and hostility between the in-group and out-group. Hostile feelings expand into acts of violence, war, even genocide.
This, anthropologists suggest, is the root of all war on a national level.
Tribalism on social media operates across many different platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, sending out the same divisive message. The anonymity of the internet removes personal responsibility and some people don’t even fully share the belief system of the group – they just feel less weird. This can make it difficult to regulate, as it’s often difficult to identify and track the source of the discord.
Social Media companies are reluctant to take responsibility for their role in the rise in tribalistic aggression, preferring to call it by the more vague term populism. The message they send is: it’s not us, it’s the people.
As they say in Yorkshire, England. There’s nowt so queer as folk.
Tribalism on social media is having a significant impact on the planet’s well-being, amplifying hostile behaviour. The collective stimulation of the warrior gene has lead to the spread of misinformation, as people become more entrenched in their beliefs and less willing to consider other perspectives. The gene promotes the radicalization of individuals and the instigation of violence. Moreover it moves quickly, reaching critical mass in weeks. In India mob violence against Muslims has followed within hours of a call to action on Twitter.
What is the first reaction of a government when faced with civil unrest? Turn off or restrict social media. China censures the internet. Putin uses social media to spread his version of the war while blocking social media outlets sympathetic to opposing viewpoints. Intuitively, governments are manipulating serotonin and dopamine reactions in the collective mind.
Language is the weapon of choice media. People will often use a shared terminology to attack those who don’t share their views, creating a hostile environment for those who don’t agree with the majority. The word ‘woke’ provokes a strong MAOA gene reaction and feelings of hostility on both sides of the debate. Mention trans to some people, and they reach for their gun.
Tribalism on social media can have serious consequences, both for individuals and society as a whole. It can lead to the spread of misinformation about the consequences of violence and the reinforcement of negative stereotypes and the marginalization of certain groups.
Businesses ramp up the temperature in the room. You join a brand, become part of a business tribe, and wear your tribal markings. Is Nike anything other than an indicator of tribal belonging?
If this were all happening a century ago, the planet would not be in danger. But just in the last year, we have seen Putin jacked up on the warrior gene threatening nuclear war. As a species, we have twenty-two thousand warheads. A hundred would render the world uninhabitable– the Hollywood term for this is an extinction event.
The received wisdom to combat tribalism on social media is to create spaces for meaningful dialogue – setting up forums or chat rooms where people can engage in constructive conversations – to counterbalance division and encourage cross-cultural dialogue.
Are we barking up the wrong tree? Is the answer to combat the angry gene, the warrior code. And if we cannot tamper with our genetic code, is the human species designed to fail, an experiment that will self-destruct.
Scientists are currently working on a vaccine that uses the same mRNA gene technology that is used to neutralise the Covid virus. Prisoners convicted of violent crimes will be offered early parole to participate in the programme. By disarming the MAOA gene, an individual’s propensity to violence should, in theory, diminish. But, how this tampering with chromosomes effects the immune system’s reaction to disease is an unknown factor. This is something that will play out over a generation. Perhaps the age of Kali will not end in a ball of fire, but a campaign of vaccinations.
 an enzyme that triggers aggression. The MAOA gene –located in the X chromosome- is also known as the warrior gene, since abnormal versions of the gene often result in aggressive behaviour by individuals. Anthropologists are suggesting that this gene has ‘tribal’ memory and has infected social media, creating a more divided and aggressive society){kind=link}