From group thinking to shared futures: Belonging in a divided world

Group membership can give us a sense of belonging and combat isolation. At the same time, groups can separate us from those who are not in the group. The concept of tribalism has been justifiably maligned recently, but there is more to it than the simple criticisms. We are social creatures, especially with so much of our brain's development coming after birth and tied to the society in which we are raised. This gives us an opportunity and even an obligation to think critically about the groups we form.

Some benefits and drawbacks of group cohesion based loosely on Michael Morris' book Tribal.

| Benefits | Drawbacks |
| -------- | --------- |
| Sense of belonging, solidarity | Us vs. them mentality |
| Efficient group learning & innovation | Suppression of dissent and individualism |
| Cultural and organizational cohesion | Groupthink and resistance to outsiders |
| Motivation through shared purpose | Leaders can exploit tribal loyalties |
| Rapid collective actions | Deep polarization, scapegoating, violence |

Some ideas to consider:

How and where have you seen the benefits of homogeneity and diversity in groups?

How do we create a sense of belonging while still bringing in different viewpoints?

What can we individually do to address the role of media and tech in creating both cohesion and division?

How does group culture change organically (i.e. without imposed structure)?

What might be change structurally (politics, urban planning, economic policy, etc.) to reduce division and build belonging?