[quote=CA renter]
Humans have a herding instinct, and we form groups that we feel will optimize our access to resources and territory. We are territorial, and defend our territories as a herd.
The resistance to “multiculturalism” is basic to human nature. It has nothing to do with religion (or race, or culture), specifically, and everything to do with trying to control certain resources that “belong” to the group.
When a new group with different characteristics (religion, color, language, culture, etc.) encroaches on an existing group’s territory/resources, they are demanding access to the resources that the existing group perceives as their own.
It is about hoarding behavior and access to resources; and it is as basic to human (and animal) nature as eating and procreation. It’s a survival instinct, and it’s ridiculous to think that we can change something that is so intrinsic and essential to our survival.[/quote]
I would propose that humans do not now, nor have we ever had “herding” instincts. Hoarding behavior is learned. And has little, if anything, to do with opposition to a multicultural society.
It is rather, a remnant of object permanence, an intellectual growth stage in infancy. Infants recognize that “things” exist even though they are not always present. Both other people and objects. Like parents, siblings, pacifier. Infants, and later as toddlers and small children, are comforted by that which is familiar. (You parents remember when your kids wanted to watch the same movie over and over and over again. They like knowing what’s going to happen next.)
As older children, and unfortunately, sometimes as adults, we are only comforted by that which is familiar. All else is “other”. “Other” is stressful. It creates fear. We really all do have the intellectual capacity, as adults, to overcome that stress and fear.
