Racism is one sort of anti-conceptualism. Rand is quick to point out the difference between tribalism and civil interaction. Tribes are not bonded by ideas or values, but rather by fear of the unknown, the unfamiliar, the new. The arrogant jocks and debs still sublimely sail over the cowering nerds and wallflowers, who compensate by organizing their own pecking order, in minute gradations of status painfully obvious to everyone. In my school, a large group of us were interested in athletics as well as intellectual pursuits such as debate as well as social functions.
Cliques seem to be more entrenched among some groups of students and at particular schools.
Rand is again chillingly prophetic in describing the hysterical cries for more government controls, particular gun controls, following the tragedy. Thousands gathered in downtown Denver May 1 to protest the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association, even though that organization promotes firearms safety and self-defense and opposes violence. But not everyone with an anti-conceptual mentality is a tribalist. Even though the lone wolf is alienated from the tribe, he or she operates on the assumption that the tribe is basis of value. Thus, the lone wolf feels isolated and bitter.