In the end, I have come to see this tension between tribalism and logic] as a product of civilization itself. The natural state of humanity until some thousands of years ago was as small, tightly-knit bands in which all knew their role and individuality was an abstraction. Eric Hoffer, Erik Erikson, Lee Harris and others have shown us that the individuality modern life makes possible is not always welcome. We’re not wired for it. It throws us.

Being part of a group can make us feel whole, sometimes so much so that logic alone becomes expendable. Mohammed Atta surely didn’t think slamming a plane into one of the Twin Towers was going to make Bush go down on his knees before Osama Bin Laden. What he knew was that being part of Bin Laden’s network gave his life meaning.

There’s some of that kind of sentiment in all of us. Independent thought will always be the exception, regardless of levels of education. It fascinates me, frustrates me and scares me all at the same time–but it no longer surprises me.