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CHAPTER 13Tribalism

“Loyalty to any one sports team is pretty hard to justify, because the players are always changing, the team can move to another city. You're actually rooting for the clothes when you get right down to it. You know what I mean? You are standing and cheering and yelling for your clothes to beat the clothes from another city. Fans will be so in love with a player, but if he goes to another team, they boo him. This is the same human being in a different shirt; they hate him now. Boo! Different shirt! Boo!”

— Jerry Seinfeld, Seinfeld

We develop all kinds of tribes, whether with our neighbors, within our church, motorcycle club, racial and ethnic background, sexual orientation, sports teams, and of course, politics. From afar, I always felt that smokers were a pretty cohesive group, standing outside in all types of weather, talking during their breaks or lunches while getting some nicotine. There always seemed to be a bond there with that group, maybe because they have been somewhat ostracized and literally put in a place of their own. I am not advocating for or against smoking, but sometimes I am jealous of the tribal bond that smokers seem to have with one another. We instinctively search for a common bond with others who share similar interests and characteristics. Tribalism can facilitate a great sense of belonging to others, and within organizations can foster a good work environment and collaboration, among others. We have had tribal instincts for ages. ...