What tribe are you in
There is no doubt that 2016 was the rise of identity politics. It is not because identify politics did not exist in the first place its because the internet brought the divide right inside your pockets.
Lets look at how facebook played a role in all of this. The social media giants sold its users data to who ever was willing to pay for it, and this should have not surprised any of us. We were all getting a decent quality platform to connect with friends, family, and network with people we wouldnt other wise have met. Of course this came at a ‘cost’. What i think is important to point out is that facebook did sell the exact information on YOU, just the type of person you are. Facebook sold advertisers information, like of all the times you “checked-in” at your favorite restaurant with all of your buddies. Not just your check-ins but how often you go out, your age, where you live, how far you are willing to travel to do things.To be fair, Facebook isnt the only one doing this. Alot of businesses do this. Example, ever give your phone number at the grocery store to get the discount for the sale on chip.... soda.... Beer? Chances are the market is selling this formation to food manufactures. This data is how ads in the sunday paper come to be. And it doesnt stop there. Credit card companies sell your data to marketing companies and in return you get ....points.
Now that social media and marketing has put you into a category, its time to let you know where you stand. Why? Well so that you can be cornered into their market. Carefully placed ads in the margins that peak your interest are not by accident. Its very smart social engineering. Data gathering companies goal is to simply figure out what tribe you are in. How many of us are capable of being persuaded to one way or another. And that is where the money is being spent. The people sitting on the fence.
So are we really that divided? Yes, we are. But for the most part it wasn't so obvious. And now we get up to the second updates on how divided. Which makes us rush to the center of our tribes. Its not just tribal ideas either. Its tribal celebrities, tribal athletes, and even products. Any company or public figure best pick a side that benefits their lively hood or face public shaming and loss of revenue. People are burning jerseys, blowing up coolers, and throwing away coffee makers because companies pressured to make a political position did not please everyone.
Now Everything is binary. Its either you are with US or THEM, there is no in between. Oh and if you dont denounce this or that well then you must be ok with all of it and there for part of the problem. For the most part, if you left your phone at home and took a walk to the local park or coffee shop the tribalism is not so apparent. Its the constant connection that is reminding us of terrible a person behind a keyboard can be.
While there may not be a silver bullet to solve the tribalism its important not to be swept up in it all. Dont get all your news from a single source. I would even go as far as dont get all of your news from a single country. Getting the perspective of a foreign source can sometimes be refreshing. Keep your individuality too. Just because the majority of your tribe has adopted one stance on a certain issue, make a decision on your own. Respect other opinions that oppose yours too. The hardest think do is to really listen to the perspective of a person you dont agree with.
