"Humans don’t mind hardship, in fact, they thrive on it; what they mind is not feeling necessary." This book explores why humans yearn for tribal connections and how modern individualism often leaves us feeling disconnected.
1. The Allure of Native American Tribes to Early Settlers
European settlers, upon arriving in America, often opted to integrate with Native American tribes rather than remaining in colonial society. This was due to the appeal of tribal life, which offered freedoms and connections many felt were missing in the colonies.
Native American tribes lived in stark contrast to the European way of life, marked by hierarchy and rigid social structures. For example, Benjamin Franklin observed that Native Americans captured as children and raised by colonists often returned to their tribes, rejecting the constraints of colonial lifestyles. The settlers were drawn to the shared, egalitarian tribal existence and the sense of belonging it provided.
Specific incidents highlighted this trend, such as the 1763 expedition led by Swiss general Henri Bouquet. Despite freeing captured Europeans, many expressed no desire to return to their former lives. This phenomenon baffled European leaders but illuminated the innate human craving for community and purpose that tribal ways fulfilled.
Examples
- Benjamin Franklin’s observations of colonial-raised Native American children returning to their tribes.
- The voluntary assimilation of European settlers into Native American tribes through marriage and traditions.
- Disinterest of “freed” captives in rejoining colonial society after Bouquet’s rescue mission.
2. Egalitarian Freedom in Tribal Life
Tribal societies drew settlers in part because of their egalitarian social structures, which contrasted with the inequalities prevalent in Western societies of the time.
Hector Crèvecoeur, a French colonist, noted that tribal life appealed to settlers due to its emphasis on autonomy. This flexibility allowed individuals, especially captured settlers like Mary Jemison, to feel liberated. In the tribes, unlike the colonies, responsibilities were communal, and societal pressures were relatively absent. People like Jemison preferred tribal lifestyles where work felt less burdensome, relationships were open, and resources were shared equally.
Additionally, tribal women had more independence compared to their colonial counterparts, and wealth disparity was non-existent among the tribes. Thus, the tribal way of life granted everyone a chance to thrive without rigid confines or oppressive societal norms.
Examples
- Mary Jemison's decision to remain with the Seneca tribe and avoid colonial rescue efforts.
- Shared community resources in tribes where possessions were less emphasized.
- Greater autonomy for Native American women compared to European settlers.
3. Tribal Communities Reflect Human Nature
Hunter-gatherer lifestyles, like those of the !Kung in Africa, align more closely with human evolutionary tendencies, displaying a natural balance of work, leisure, and social connection.
Anthropological research revealed that members of the !Kung tribe worked only about 12 hours a week and spent the remainder of their time resting or socializing. Because of this egalitarian approach, no one had excessive material wealth, yet everyone's needs were met. The shared work ensured survival without the stress or alienation common in Western capitalist societies.
Modern industrial societies create a disconnect, as human biology is not adapted to solo competition but thrives on collaboration and shared responsibility. This is evident in the rising levels of depression and loneliness in the West, starkly contrasting the mental health of societies living communally.
Examples
- Anthropologist Richard Lee’s research into the !Kung tribe’s 12-hour workweek.
- Comparison of physical and mental well-being between tribal societies and industrialized nations.
- Evolutionary biology emphasizing human adaptation to shared, collaborative survival strategies.
4. War Creates Unexpected Psychological Resilience
Wars have consistently shown to foster camaraderie and resilience among populations. During World War II, British civilians bonded under the common threat of bombings, demonstrating an unexpected psychological strength.
During the Blitz in London, people remained remarkably composed despite daily air raids. Community shelters became places of solidarity where civilians shared experiences and helped one another. Remarkably, psychiatric hospital admissions decreased during these terrifying times, signaling a decline in mental health crises due to increased social bonding.
French sociologist Emile Durkheim noticed this phenomenon during conflicts like the World Wars, where crime rates and suicide dropped due to the shared sense of purpose war provided. People thrived under simplified priorities, emphasizing safety and community reliance over individualistic ambitions.
Examples
- Londoners’ calm resolve during the Blitz amid constant bombing.
- Emile Durkheim's research linking war to lower rates of psychiatric disorders and suicides.
- 1969 Belfast riots showing a drop in suicides and violent crime during extreme social unrest.
5. Natural Disasters Promote Social Unity
Disasters simplify life by cutting away complexities and urging humans to cooperate for survival. Events like earthquakes or floods often reveal the communal instincts inherent in human beings.
Sociologist Charles Fritz found that natural disasters such as the Peru earthquake of 1970 led survivors to pool resources, crossing previous racial and class divides for the sake of survival. In moments of crisis, the instinct to collaborate outweighed social divisions, forming strong, temporary communities.
However, Fritz also observed these bonds vanished as normal life resumed. When outside rescue teams reasserted order, the shared camaraderie among survivors dissipated, proving that while disasters revive human cooperation, returning to the societal norms of individualism erodes those bonds.
Examples
- Cooperative bonding among survivors of the 1970 Peru earthquake.
- Charles Fritz’s interviews with over 9,000 disaster survivors documenting unity.
- Comparison of pre- and post-disaster behaviors showing a loss of shared purpose once normal life resumed.
6. War’s Harsh Lessons on PTSD
War’s trauma isn’t just from violence but from the stark contrast between the unity on the battlefield and the disconnection found upon returning home.
Junger’s experience in Afghanistan left him with PTSD, stemming from the sensory overload and isolation when back in New York City. The constant alerts, useful in war, became triggers in civilian life. Soldiers returning to unconnected societies often feel disoriented, longing for the bonds formed with their comrades.
Studies show that a lack of community support exacerbates PTSD, highlighting that feeling unneeded in one’s society leads to psychological distress post-war.
Examples
- Junger’s panic attack caused by overwhelming crowds in New York post-Afghanistan.
- The role hypervigilance plays in exacerbating PTSD back in peaceful settings.
- Observations on how army camaraderie contrasts with isolating civilian life.
7. Soldiers Miss Tribal Bonds After War
Returning soldiers often find themselves longing for the deep connections forged during war, connections that civilian life rarely offers.
For instance, serviceman Win Stracke reflected that life in the army was his first taste of true camaraderie, a sentiment echoed by many veterans. This longing is similar to civilians reminiscing about the social solidarity they experienced during crises like the AIDS epidemic or the Blitz.
Such contrasts reveal how fragmented and isolating daily life has become, making individuals pine for a time when bonds of purpose and trust united them strongly.
Examples
- Strong bonds created between wartime comrades.
- Nostalgia shared by elderly Londoners who lived through the Blitz.
- Solidarity within marginalized groups during the AIDS epidemic.
8. Lessons From Native American War Healing Practices
Native American cultures understand the need for rituals to help soldiers transition back into everyday life.
Tribes treat warfare as a collective experience, ensuring that community healing ceremonies like the 16-day purification ritual involve all members. Veterans who participate feel seen and valued, easing their reintegration into community life while addressing trauma holistically.
Such practices hold valuable lessons for modern societies, suggesting initiatives like town hall discussions where veterans share their stories and reconnect.
Examples
- The 16-day purification ritual among Native American tribes.
- Annual powwows in Oklahoma welcoming veterans of all backgrounds.
- Modern veterans seeking solace in shared ceremonies and gatherings.
9. Extreme Events Simplify Life
Whether through war or disasters, extreme situations push humans toward cooperative instincts and purpose, which promote well-being.
During instability, people prioritize survival and connection over material wealth or status. In these simplified conditions, social barriers dissolve, and humanity thrives on collective effort, albeit briefly. This recurring pattern emphasizes the human desire for meaningful engagement.
The challenge is maintaining this tribal sense of belonging once life stabilizes. Recognizing its value, even during peace, could reshape how societies function in fostering unity.
Examples
- Community-driven responses after disasters like the Peru earthquake.
- Lower crime and mental health issues under shared hardships like the Blitz.
- Soldiers' preference for army unity over fragmented civilian life.
Takeaways
- Foster community-driven events and dialogues to revive the sense of belonging often missing in peacetime.
- Create supportive rituals or ceremonies to help veterans transition from military to civilian life.
- Simplify aspects of modern society, focusing on shared goals and interactions to address loneliness and build stronger social bonds.