Why We Hate
Why We Hate is a six-part documentary television series which is an "exploration into the human condition of hatred and how we can overcome it". It was directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Sam Pollard and produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Television and Alex Gibney's Jigsaw Productions. It was released on the Discovery Channel on October 13, 2019.
On June 17, 2020, it was announced that a TV special titled Why We Hate: The Reckoning would premiere four days later.
Summary
In the first episode, Origins, evolutionary anthropologist Brian Hare and research scientist, journalist and author Vanessa Woods explain the origins of hate in natural selection: intensive cooperation and love in the in-group was a key factor for the success of our species, but corresponds with competition and hatred for the out-group.The second episode, Tribalism, follows psychologist Laurie Santos as she aks why we divide the world into "us" and "them". Group psychology shows the mechanisms of tribalism, that makes us love our group and possibly hate other groups, and how this shapes our perceptions.
In the third episode, Tools & Tactics, journalist and author Jelani Cobb researches the fact that our capacity to hate does not work automatically, that hate often is purposefully awakened - and how this is done using propaganda tools like dehumanization, symbols and more.
In the fourth episode, Extremism, extremism expert Sasha Havlicek searches how people are driven to hateful extremist ideologies and what factors lead to de-radicalization.
The fifth episode, Crimes against Humanity, follows international criminal lawyer Patricia Viseur Sellers as she investigates genocides and crimes against humanity - showing the perpetrators as well as those who resisted the call to hate.
In the sixth episode, Hope, neuroscientist Emile Bruneau shows how critical thinking, education and cooperation can help combat hate.