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Comment by shurcooL | Hacker News Reader

This is why I like to consider myself to belong to the group of humans and dislike further specialization based on gender, where you're born, etc.

We're on the same team.

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I agree. This is a mindset I had ingrained in me since childhood (probably as a result of watching too much of Capt. Picard).

It's funny how many things around you stop making sense with this mindset. Racism and patriotism obviously come to mind, but there are many, many more, including most of the political discourse on the local scale.

Your brain handles ingroup/outgroup behavior automatically. These are not conscious behavioral choices. As far as your brain is concerned, we're not on the same team.

How you choose to act given that understanding of your biology is of course up to you.

Sure thing, but by constantly parity-checking your rash decisions you can overcome most learned behaviour in time.

Yes and no. If you try to avoid labeling yourself as a "member of group X" you'll find that you can avoid a lot of ingroup/outgroup behavior situations. It isn't always easy or possible, but it's something striving for. Pick your groups wisely.

Good advice. Reminds me of this PG essay: http://paulgraham.com/identity.html

Interestingly enough, that's an opinion shared by a small group of people with similar likes and dislikes. The rest of humanity isn't on the same team as you.

Can you recall any instances of out-group violence committed by your tribe?

Understanding your own human nature does not give you power over it.

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