Citizens of the new tribes
The way we relate has evolved
Perspective has shaped how we connect and relate to each other for centuries. These physical and emotional boundaries are not only expanding they’re more discoverable than ever before. Connectedness is a core human desire and our “social” DNA is what fuels our happiness in our work and personal lives. It’s worth taking a look at the big picture to better understand our small, everyday tribes and the way they’re evolving.
Tribal Connectedness
We all know what a tribe is. We still have them. I just joined a tribe of 50,000 people in the desert. Tribes identify themselves and connect through culture, ethnicity, lineage and interests. The world starts and stops within their population. They have strong regional boundaries, ties and connections. These egalitarian clans have been the staple of human culture for centuries.
Spiritual Connectedness
Being a part of something larger than yourself is a massively powerful way to be connected. Certainly, the core aspects of organized religion are about identifying with a common faith, group rituals and connecting people through a structured communal system. 
National Connectedness
Vast and often born from revolution, most people in a nation never even meet each other yet they feel connected by a common bond. That bond-whether it’s real or imagined-is boxed by ethical, philosophical and cultural beliefs. People are reminded of their connectedness through flags, anthems, and national sports teams.
Binary Connectedness
Driven by technology, people can now connect over great distances. Messages can nearly immediately be transmitted from one person to another person. Things like telegraphs, telephones, faxes, and email opened the world to unparalleled 1-to-1 communication. Grandma can see pictures of her grandchildren without getting on a plane.
Neotribal Connectedness
Social Technology satisfies our immensely powerful desire for community bonds and allows us to build groups and gather globally around the things we identify with. The footprint of our daily civilization is no longer bounded by geography or structural doctrine. Our population isn’t identified through demographics or easily targetable through traditional avenues. Neotribal networks are connected, co-operating tribes that cut through great distance, spiritual and national boundaries to rapidly unite desired interaction.
Things people have said about this post
You just don’t fight fair with these graphics, Sam. Good post, however. It’s just the “neo” thing… Reminds me of, well, neoconservatives, neocons… But then again, Neo (the One) captured geek hearts and minds and started to reverse the ugly “neo” associations. So, not sure if it will stick, but I really like how you arrived at the conclusion and articulated the new phenomenon.
So what’s the name of the person who does create these fantastic graphics. Can I hire them?
good stuff SAM
Love it! Very clean and clear explanation — the ‘evolution’ of communication basically.
Fantastic illustrations and great points. I would ask you to marry me if you weren’t already married!
wonderfully romantic
Props to @darkmotion for the design execution and @michaelsigler for his direction.
[…] — Citizens of the new tribes. […]
Very interesting Big Picture, Sam. I’m going to post it on my Facebook page.
Stepping back for a moment, it’s kind of funny that good old 20th century devices–radios, telephones, and televisions–remain by far the most powerful tribal connectors in world as we close out the first decade of the 21st century.
It will be very interesting to see what technologies will ultimately surpass radio, telephone, and television in terms of global connectedness and reach. Perhaps it will web 10.0 via devices yet to be imagined (although I hope it won’t be some sort of electronic hat–that would be a bad look).
Social technology is a fantastic enabler of tribal and inter-tribal connectedness for many in the First World and some in the Second World. Perhaps in the ’20s there will be a device so cheap to build and easy to power that we could finally connect with some tribes of the Third World. That will be a fascinating time in human history!
[…] Go Big Always — Citizens of the new tribes "Perspective has shaped how we connect and relate to each other for centuries. These physical and emotional boundaries are not only expanding they’re more discoverable than ever before. Connectedness is a core human desire and our “social” DNA is what fuels our happiness in our work and personal lives. It’s worth taking a look at the big picture to better understand our small, everyday tribes and the way they’re evolving." […]
[…] Check out his awesome visualizations on types of human connectedness. […]
Glad we got these fantastic ideas down into Illustration Sam!
I heart these graphics. I guess the next step is seeing Enterprise Octopus on a cable tv channel espousing us all to drop everything and come join the revolution.
[…] Siggy got me on board with Sam Lawrence (both fine fellows working at Jive) to produce a set of illustrated pieces for Go Big Always. Check out his article on Citizens of the new tribes. […]
Interesting concepts. Read more in “Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization” by Dave Logan , John King , Halee Fischer-Wright.
It opens your eyes on groups dynamics in workplace and on the net.
Once you understand the different tribal stages a group can interact, you will become more effective and less frustrated, while working in large organizations.
These pictures are adorable. DORBLICIOUS! Infact. Are you a Seth Godin fan?
(Re: his new book, Tribes.)
I’m trying to figure out why I would want to worship some sort of alien multi-tentacled creature in the spiritual graphic.