Humans are attracted to others that are like-minded.

 Humans are attracted to others that are like-minded.  Each of us are possessed by a range of emotion and belief that finds similarity and difference in the emotions and beliefs of others.  Our associations are governed by this range of similarities and differences.  The closer the variables are to our core, the stronger the attractiveness of the individual and the ideas espoused.  Because they are so fundamental, cultural similarities and differences play an outsized role.  The result is tribal organization - both acknowledged and unacknowledged.  The model for tribal organization is the family.  In today’s America, political parties have devolved into tribal organizations and self-identified members of each of our parties think and act as family members, wherein loyalty to family is a paramount consideration.  

A relatively long list of “issues” emerges and tribal members adopt identical positions on each of them according to what tribal elders determine to be truth.  Few are the individuals that “think for themselves,” and rarely are they influential among large numbers of people, particularly when they question tribal “truths.”  The only force that can overcome this intellectual lethargy is fear.  When the real world situation gets bad enough, rational thought begins to emerge, and depending on the degree and longevity of the threat, rational thought begins to take precedent over tribal lore.  This process has characterized human history since we stood up on two legs, and humanity has managed to adapt and survive.  The problem today, is that we have invented weaponry and delivery systems that can not only kill vast numbers of us, but can also poison the very land that we need to sustain human life.

“Thinning the herd” is a practical answer to over population as long as you are not among those that are “thinned,” and your plot of land is not part of that which is made radio-active.  I suggest that you and I do not have any hope in hell that we will not be a principal target in the exchange of nuclear weapons and although that would be ironic, in that we invented the damned things, I do not find it to be an attractive prospect.  I would prefer to find a way to convince others in this world to live and let live.  I am convinced that, paradoxically, the key to doing that is possessing overwhelming military strength, the demonstrable will to use that strength, combined with an honest desire and effective programs to better the lives of all humans living on earth.  

My pessimism about the future derives from the failure of our tribes to adopt policies attuned to these objectives, because we are not yet scared enough to do it and we are running out of the time necessary to do it. Instead, we argue among ourselves about the age of the fetus, proper use of pronouns, the price of gasoline, the number of potato chips in the bag, and our precious feelings.  Very nice people, physical and intellectual cowards all, steeped in facts and figures, but without the fundamental intelligence necessary to come together and save ourselves.