thank you for clarifying again, because this means i didn’t misinterpret. but maybe it’s better to leave it up and try to explain more.

you seem to be a well meaning liberal. but you keep using the word “tribal” to be synonymous with “backwards and undeveloped.” afghanistan and pakistan are not underdeveloped because they’re tribal societies. rather, they’re underdeveloped because of exploitation by imperialist countries throughout the past century or so. countries that notably justified their imperialist exploitation by claiming to bring modernity to the backwards tribal peoples they were exploiting. that’s why your initial comment comes off as racist, you’re basically insinuating that people exploited by imperialism are responsible for their own condition because their backwards ideas cause them to reject modernity.

“developing countries” are not underdeveloped, they are overexploited. the people are kept poor by exploitative trade relations that are enforced through imperialist violence. saying it’s because they’re “tribal” is just wrong, and is a notion rooted in subconscious white supremacy.

does that make sense? it’s a ridiculous and racist comparison that you and neal stephenson are making. i don’t think it’s intentional on your part or his, but do please knock off the way you’re using the word tribal.