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In my research, I often ask myself why people hold a particular set of beliefs over another. The influence of our strong social ties (closest friends, people we depend on) might be an important part of the answer. “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you what you believe in”. Think of topics like climate change skepticism, gun control, veganism etc. While there are obviously many exceptions, by and large, the social networks we are embedded in are good indicators of our identity-driven beliefs.
But that helps explain, I contend, both the potential success and the potential backlash of social disruptions. When a disruption happens (a global pandemic, a nearby war, a climate disaster etc.), a wave of uncertainty engulfs our lives. Where to seek refuge? In the warm and reassuring embrace of our closest connections. If our closest ties support a worldview that fosters positive change, then we might attempt transforming society for the better. If, on the other hand, disruptions lead our closest ties to resentment, fear, and hate, then we might end up in a pretty bad place (potentially involving resistance to evidence, tribal thinking, marginalization of outsiders etc.).
What can be done to avoid the latter situation? I was told that the aim of this editorial is to spark some interest, rather than provide definitive answers. I hope, therefore, that I made you interested in some of the topics that we at DOUbT are trying to deal with, and I hope to see many of you at the Myths of Disruption conference, where I am sure that we will pick up on some of these issues again.
Sergiu Spatan, Researcher at TUDiSC
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