Africa Quote by Christopher Hitchens
““When people have tried everything and have discovered that nothing works, they will tend to revert to what they know best—which will often be the tribe, the totem, or the taboo.””
About This Quote
Source Book: God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens, 2007
When all solutions fail, people retreat to familiar identities or beliefs, often tribal or taboo, for comfort and certainty.
In simple terms: Failure drives people to cling to familiar groups or customs.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question fallback to familiar groups when faced
Themes
uncertainty.
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- psychology
- social dynamics
- cognitive bias
Key Concepts
identity
comfort
tribalism
uncertainty
beliefs
Practical Applications
- political crises
- personal setbacks
- cultural conflicts
- decision making
- group pressure
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions do you hold that might be “tribal” in nature?
- How can you stay open to new ideas when existing ones fail?
A Different Perspective
Relying on familiar groups can reinforce division and hinder innovative solutions.
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