How Human Beings form Societies

The words at left come from late-20th Century philosopher and ethnobotanist Terence McKenna.

His observation here echoes those of many other intellectuals who have pondered how it’s possible that an extremely intelligent species can make such poor decisions when it comes to governance.

The problem, I believe, is that intelligence isn’t the only characteristic–or even the main one–that drives the way we elect our leaders and get along with others.  Our tribalism and greed are far more important to how human beings behave in groups.