Talking to the Enemy

Renowned anthropologist Dr Scott Atran explores the mindsets of radicalised people in the twenty-first century -- and the evolutionary origins of religions worldwide.

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[imorriso1]

This is a really insightful talk. I'd always felt that identity was ultimately a huge motivator of human behaviour, but it's nice to hear that there's empirical data supporting that notion.

[amrendra80]

Dr. Scott makes a lot of sense, it gives us a handle into solving our long standing conflicts. The international media has just painted the other party as irrational beings and dehumanized them. All our efforts have mostly focused into beating the living daylights out of them. A simple acknowledgment of the humanity of the other side will solve long festering conflicts. Hope we use the methods of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. to bring sanity into this world.

[stoprainingonme]

I wish it showed the powerpoints. Excellent presentation from Atran as usual.

[niinja2]

"but lady dont i destroy my enemies when i make them my friends"

this is fucking epic

[revo1974]

I agree with almost everything he says, but I think he downplays the significance of particular relgious dogma being a driving force. Although I don't think it's as great as people like Sam Harris, Hitchens, and Dawkins suggests. Atran is far more of an expert on these subjects than they are.