The Problem With... The Problem With Tribalism: Michael Morris
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Apr 21, 2026 
Michael Morris, cultural psychologist and Columbia Business School professor, explains tribal instincts as adaptations that enabled large-scale cooperation. He outlines the peer, hero, and ancestor waves. He explores ancient DNA and trade, how groups made humans apex predators, and how dating apps and social media warp attractiveness and status.
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Change Culture By Triggering New Tribal Signals
- To change an organization's behavior, change its culture by sending the right signals that update people's assumptions.
- Morris emphasizes leaders must understand which situational tribal identity is 'at the wheel' and trigger new norms.
Networks Beat Hostility In Human Evolution
- Homo sapiens outcompeted Neanderthals by building cooperative networks for trade and mating rather than constant hostility.
- Neanderthals show high inbreeding, scars, and cannibalism; Homo sapiens had social insurance across linked groups.
Social Media Acts As A Funhouse Mirror
- Social media distorts frequency of extreme examples, amplifying attractive people and polarizing political extremes.
- Platforms prioritize provocative posts and filtered images, creating a funhouse mirror of attractiveness and opinion.
