That answer is “Tribalism.” Tribalism is endemic not just to the human species, but animal species as well. The same kind of tribal network runs families of birds, apes, families, communities, states, countries. One of my friends named in the Epstein files has always been known as a super-networker. “(Epstein’s) dinner parties were amazing,” she told me not long ago. My friends who were associated with Epstein were opportunistic, as tribal members are, and some have been pretty well Scarlet-lettered.

Source: New York Times February 19, 2026 21:30 UTC