New documentary series explores ‘Why We Hate’

Given South Africa’s reputation for crime and xenophobia, it stands to reason that the latest Discovery documentary series, Why We Hate, should be on everyone’s streaming menu.

With 100% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the show, executive produced by none other than Steven Spielberg and directed by the dynamic duo of Geeta Gandbhir and Sam Pollard, explores a wide range of topics relating to human ability to hate and the consequences thereof.

“Humans have an unparalleled ability to love and cooperate. So why do we sometimes act cruel and hateful? Not just as individuals, but as whole communities or nations. Hate breeds bullying, social injustice, violence, war, even genocide and mass murder.”

These are the opening words of the six-part series, which is currently streaming on Showmax.

Why We Hate. Picture: Discovery Channel

But where does hate come from?

Spielberg said in a press statement ahead of the series’ release that getting to the root of the human condition is something not only fascinating, but necessary in understanding who we are as human beings.

“The series is an attempt to understand why we hate, through the science and through an understanding of our common humanity. Hate is in our DNA. If we understand why we act the way we do, we can change the way we act. That is what we are uniquely capable of as human beings,” he said.

In its attempt at getting to the so-called root of hate, the documentary delves into school shootings and hate crimes to fanaticism in sports, politics and religions, to the influence of social media in feeding our prejudices.

Why We Hate. Picture: Discovery Channel

With a number of reputable international experts and laypersons sharing their experience as both the victims and perpetrators of hate, the documentary highlights how competition actually serves as a catalyst for hate.

It shows strong evidence how in the animal kingdom, for instance, competition for resources is a major driving factor behind aggressive and hateful behaviour.

Scientists speculate that chimpanzees’ aggressiveness by comparison to their gentler cousins, the bonobos, could be due to the relative scarcity of food in the region where the species evolved.

According to cognitive evolutionary anthropologist Martha Newson, among humans, this competition doesn’t even have to be for vital resources. She says fanatical sports fans exhibit tribal behaviours driven by competition.

Why We Hate. Picture: Discovery Channel

“Their behaviour serves to protect and defend the group. It’s as powerful as for people who’ve been on the frontline together. They’d die for each other.

“We think it relates to the kin psychology that was so essential to keeping us alive when we lived in tight-knit, small communities in our ancestral past,” she says.

What’s more, says neuroscientist and conflict resolution researcher Dr Emile Bruneau, who examines apartheid in episode six: “There is this huge divide in empathy felt for people in your own group versus empathy for people of another group.”

Place Why We Hate at the top of your streaming list – especially since this wet weather is predicted to carry on throughout the weekend.

(Compiled by Hayden Horner)

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