The internet was purported to turn humanity into a global consciousness. Instead, what I notice today is that we’re all parts of circles, just a tad bit larger due to global communication.

We’re all victims of misinformation. And the people in control maintain control by depending on this form of tribalism.

Historically, the concept of a tribe emerged not from a want, but a need. The need for survival. It’s difficult to survive the wilderness alone, so humans band together. Any system that emerges out of a need for survival is not conducive to opposing views and thereby critical thought. Opposing view risks the decimation of the tribe, and the tribe takes every measure to protect its existence.

Over the course of the past year, I’ve moved between various groups and tribes and this pattern is common. Very rarely is a community welcoming of people with opposing thoughts. How did we get here?

Internet tribalism depends on our participation to exist, and the only way to break free is to not participate.