Part 11/14:
Radical narratives—whether advocating for a total societal overhaul or unbridled technological growth—tend to tighten virtue and status games. This increases the likelihood of extremism, violence, and social injustice.
Historical examples include the Salem Witch Trials, McCarthyism, or modern cancel culture—rituals of purity testing that ostracize or eliminate dissenters.
Strategies to Avoid Extremism and Build Nuance
Embrace Multiple Epistemic Tribes
A well-rounded individual participates in multiple tribes, resisting the allure of total identification with one narrative. This promotes nuance, reduces extremism, and fosters compromise.