Why Do People Riot?

Peaceful protests can help people have their voices heard, but sometimes a protest becomes a more aggressive riot. How does that happen?
Hosted by: Hank Green
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Souces:
www.law.cornell.edu/wex/riot
www.scientificamerican.com/ar...
www.theguardian.com/commentis...
people.howstuffworks.com/riot-...
Image Sources:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

[@Bdlsito]

Sci show you got this one wrong, the best way to stop a riot is obviously with a Pepsi.

[@brokenacoustic]

Or a Snickers bar.

[@pay1370]

too soon dude

[@R.T.and.J]

Not soon enough.

[@SirPetterTheFirst]

Random Guy, Mustard gas is always the best way, because you dont do property damage after

[@willythemailboy2]

Flame throwers are always a good option. But in all seriousness, strip the anonymity. Make sure to film the crowd during the riot and MAKE SURE they know they're being filmed. After the riot, identify as many people as possible, even for minor offences, and prosecute up to and slightly beyond the full extent of the law. Make it as clear as humanly possible that consequences might be delayed but they will happen anyway. Seeing people get a few years for aggravated assault when they throw rocks, bricks, bottles, etc. at police will make subsequent rioters rethink their life choices. Nothing discourages people like having to check that "felon" box on every job application for the rest of their lives.

[@ThePuppyTurtle]

This is going to be a lovely comment section.

[@artyomalexeyev9910]

Yes

[@dbuc4671]

Best comment in this lovely comment section made it lovelier

[@thelatenightgamer2624]

Ayo?

[@NewMessage]

Because their hockey team lost. Or, if you're from Vancouver... they won.

[@mattforbes7833]

OMFG British Columbia hockey fans are the stupidest things on two legs.

[@Nobody009]

I'm pretty sure the riots in Vancouver happened because they lost.

[@PyrrhoVonHyperborea]

some people just party hard[er]

[@CarvedParachute]

New Message actually they won lol and in Montreal they rioted because they got past the first round... THE FIRST ROUND!!!!!

[@pramitbanerjee]

We will never stop having riots unless we have three things (discounting the whole loss of freedom thing in an orwelian/huxley fashion) 1) A open government where everyone participates 2) A free media that is not controlled by corporate interests, that serves to inform citizens 3) A fully educated citizen base, educated in human psychology and group psychology, able to pick apart the biases in its thinking All of this has been achieved in some form or another. Meaning it is possible to do so. You - the informed citizen - can do your part by using the resource called the internet to learn and inform yourself - take part in online courses on psychology, learn basic sciences, learn how government works, learn how journalism works, learn about the dilemma of ethics and morals, learn philosophy, learn how technology is changing society.

[@powpuppet562]

pramitbanerjee Well... The eradication of the entire human species might be a solution too.

[@happyjohn354]

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE!?!? thumbs up if you get the reference...

[@neeneko]

The problem with an open government where everyone participates is too many people want special treatment and actively protest the participation of others. Just look at the modern 'patriot' or white supremacist movement. While they do not riot (their numbers are usually too small), they are only happy if everyone except them has a lesser voice, thus if we had equal representation they would be protesting even harder than today. There is also the issue of minority rights vs majority will, something that can not be handled with perfect fairness.

[@jkjoegunz]

starship troopers?

[@Tsuyara]

2 seems kinda odd. If people continue to rather read misinformation, then misinformation sites will continue to thrive. If they don't, corporate interests will be to accurately inform the citizens.

[@Porglit]

"They don't lose their sense of self, they just find their identity not in themselves, but rather in the group!" Wait what?

[@goju09alt9]

Because they are pissed?

[@kittycat-sc7je]

No

[@MigattenoBlakae]

@@kittycat-sc7je uhh actually yes

[@woomyboy98]

So who else is coming here in 2020

[@kimberlyrachels3566]

Yep here in 2020 hours after watching my hometown of Minneapolis burn for the last 3 nights.

[@bestcity0979]

Yea

[@laurenr3273]

aye what’s up yo

[@thinker8682]

I think the idea behind Deindividuation is that the individual becomes anonymous when he blend in the group, and then you see the animalistic behaviours come out.

[@rydaddy2867]

Or when they wear a mask, removing the most obvious form of individuality; their face.

[@vukov2000]

Great episode, Hank (and the SciShow team)!

[@CharlesTheClumsy]

You should explain the psychology behind "shower thoughts".

[@Vicioussama]

Violence, or the threat of violence, can bring positive change too. Hell, our nation was founded on such. That being said, violence should NEVER be the first second third or any option until the very end.

[@ivanalantiev2397]

I love you and your shows Hank.

[@adolfodef]

Props to the script writter for acknowledging option 2 as a real posibility. Bonus points for also mentioning why it is not advisable (because humans desire to keep their own freedom). It is both a good reason to "fight for it" in the first place; and why no other human has the right to take it away. -> [I for once would welcome to our new A.I. overlords]

[@Felenari]

Good watch. Ty.

[@ShinySephiroth1]

Checking in from the rioting in Salt Lake City. Anyone else?

[@bobbyfr911]

bow and arrow man!

[@ShinySephiroth1]

@@bobbyfr911 Green Arrow, haha

[@AlchemicalForge91]

Tribalism in a non-tribal modernity is rare and sparks even more sense of belonging. When in that crowd in a world where we are most often alone, the tribe now formed has unbelievable power to make its members go bonkers.

[@matthijs1420]

Still bring it so deep, thanks for making me motivated to go back to studying

[@imontosomething2609]

Watching this from May 31, 2020

[@mfaizsyahmi]

What about saboteurs, people who *pretend* to identify as part of the group but really belong to the rival group, and intentionally cause ruckus within the crowd to trigger riot or the police's reaction to riot?

[@bestcity0979]

0:32-0:40 oh... oh snap

[@peaou]

yeah.. i heard that too. YOLO, i guess?

[@ACommonHero2]

"1. Get rid of all the injustice in the world." And also all sports.

[@FenryrGrey]

There is surely no European on the team haha, otherwise they would have added this and probably that some people riot out of boredom and for fun aka riot tourism.

[@taxdragon]

Not just Europe. I live in Montreal and if I say, "Stanley Cup riot", I have to specify which one. Try Googling "hockey riots".

[@ohtheblah]

taxdragon Montreal, safe from Stanley Cup riots since '93. From all of us here in California, Pittsburgh, and the rest of the USA, you're welcome Canada and let's make sure Canada stays safe by keeping the cup down here for many years to come.

[@AtlantideVFX]

That's why I was happy that the Canadians didn't make to the playoff (or whatever it's called) this year, that way no riot in Montreal that destroy things because they have either won or lose a match. And I don't have to hear about hockey on lunch time.

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

If I was a hockey fan I would riot every chance I got.

[@IceMetalPunk]

I know that some people will tell me group identity "can be" a good thing, but honestly, I've never liked the idea. The line between group identity and deindividuation seems quite blurry to me, and both scare the hell out of me. Like, sure, you have something in common with the other people in the group. Great. That doesn't mean you have to follow the group on everything, it doesn't mean it's wrong to disagree with or even contradict the group, and it definitely doesn't mean that if the group does something dangerous, immoral, or stupid, you should, too. And we all know this...until we're in such a group. Then many people forget.

[@zeromailss]

3:40 #2 North Korea? can you do an episode about the mentality of such people?

[@pramitbanerjee]

starving people don't riot, brainwashed people also don't riot.

[@JinwooYoon1217]

If you're really curious about such things, you'll find The Dictator's Handbook an interesting read/listen, and give CGP Grey's video on the matter a watch. But yes, as pramitbanerjee said, "Starving people don't riot, brainwashed people don't riot". The keys and military are on Kim's side, and as long as that is the case, the government is unlikely to fall internally. Only an external force is currently likely to take them out, but that's a pandora's box the powerful governments of the world may not be so willing to open.

[@ruadd4592]

not only north korea, there are way more to give a big example. China.

[@sheepwshotguns42]

they forgot #3 which has been implemented in america for some time now. manufacturing consent.

[@zelamorre1126]

What? You mean the reason people riot isn't because they haven't had a Snickers lately? My life is a lie.

[@Spilled_Oatmeal]

Can you do an episode about dermatillomania? Its not talked about but a super common disorder. I have it and I don't want to be afraid of talking about it because of the unawareness of the general population.

[@SuperExodian]

i do too, my fingertips are basically craters with how often i scratch off the skin, problem is i don't feel pain easily, so i often don't even realize i'm scratching myself up

[@SuviTuuliAllan]

And trichotillomania and tic disorders and why not a whole series on personality disorders too.

[@Kilanna]

Mackenzie Packer read this comment as I was pulling at my hair just now 😣😫 made me stop though!

[@Spilled_Oatmeal]

Kilanna you're stronger than your compulsion! YOU CAN rise above this!

Identify and reduce the stress which drive the behaviour.

[@JasonGastrich]

Nice, Hank

[@JaydragonM]

It's exactly strong group identity. I think the triggering point can often be THEY are attacking US. The "They" and "Us" are very well defined even before some catalyst event and hence we act to benefit the group, the "Us"

[@-ifrk-4035]

Very interesting.

[@Cubinator73]

Even, *if* politicians hear our voices, big companies make sure, our voices will soon be forgotten...

[@angiej9414]

Here in January 2021.

[@MatthewBishop64]

More Hank on this channel please :)

[@angeldude101]

Or their team just lost a hockey game. Hockey is Serious Business here in Canada and especially in Vancouver.

[@rodepet]

has the past year given us any new insights on this??

[@CaptmagiKono]

You mean the FEELING of being free is good.

[@Muffysb]

I know this is specifically about protests, so I'm not surprised this isn't covered...but I've often wondered about the differences between a "protest" riot and the more spontaneous "party" riot (like the ones that can happen after sporting events). Probably two very different reasons for similar outcomes, though I expect that alcohol is the big factor in party riots.

[@lazyperfectionist1]

I like that first option. Take the people who have grievances and provide them with peaceful means to accomplish them, or at least, to address them.

[@Glassbane]

Mirror neuron feedback loops. As crowds grow, individuals monitor each other's behaviour and 'feel' what the others are feeling with their mirror neurons. Intense activity or emotion is amplified by the feedback of the neurons. Bad crowds spin out of control and good crowds begin to become euphoric. The best way to control crowds is through corralling and isolation of angry pockets of individuals into safe zones away from other members of the crowd.

[@annoloki]

Forgot to mention one cause: rioting can be a means of discrediting the protest by either an opposing side, the authorities (using agent provocateurs), or quite often, somebody who works for the authorities getting their own ideas about creating "an excuse" to take people down, arrest people they believe should be arrested etc.

[@SlayerOfAll10]

Had to come back in 2021 smh

[@SophiaAstatine]

Are all riots bad though, if they target injustice and such. I'm personally not counting football as a good reason to riot, so I don't refer to that.

[@edi9892]

Once upon a time in Germany, a politician accidentally stumbled across a riot and he tried to deescalate it. He asked them what they want and had a empty beer bottle thrown at his head with the words: more beer!

[@91722854]

I really wonder what a group of children raised in a separate place without all these riot and violence and whether they would exhibit these behaviours

[@aqwsjhk6358]

in British Columbia Canada lose a hockey game riot win a hockey game even bigger riot

[@FrenchLightningJohn]

in quebec its the same thing

[@stewartsaurus5796]

Basically, hockey is a big deal.

[@GuyWithAnAmazingHat]

I really don't get why people riot or even protest, here in Singapore, we had only 2 riots over 40 years. We find no need to get upset enough to cause any form of trouble and do actual damage physically or economically. The 1st riot happened early in our independence and our public safety not properly established yet. The 2nd riot was in 2013 when a bus accident killed a migrant worker and the migrant workers in the area caused a riot and set fire to the bus.

[@kisstantari]

Why do i feel i was just added to a watch list for watching this video. lol

[@CaptainPIanet]

Idk that's a weird thing to think

[@ASBlueful]

Noise is relative to the silence preceding it.

[@FikoRaharditoBaskoro]

Scishow i wanna ask, which more impactful (psychologically): riot or strike?

[@kedrak90]

Wanted to make a rage against the machine reference I can't think of a fitting one.

[@lucidmoses]

Taking away all the injustices will not solve that issue because it's not injustices that's causing it. It's individual perceptions of injustice and that is a hugely different can of worms.

[@jebus6kryst]

"Zoot Suit Riot. Riot!"

"It is not uncommon to see patients undergo permanent psychological trauma in the presence of the Sphere, before the nerve stapler has even been strapped into position. Its effect on the general consciousness of the culture is profound: husbands have seen wives go inside, and mothers their children. Dr. Xynan left the surface of the sphere semitranslucent for a reason. You can hear them in there; you can see them. It is a thing of terrible beauty." -- Baron Klim, "The Music of the Spheres",

[@amaimonmoore4498]

*KZbin's really funny now that I think of it, Why did they recommend THIS Post-George Floyd, hm?*

[@victoriaridgway2286]

thank you for speaking to extremely relevant ideas in an informative, neutral manner!!

[@supersonicrocks100]

"1. Get rid of all injustice in the world." when you think about it it's really interesting! a lot of people'll tend to think of their own definitions of injustice, go 'yeah fix that and the world is perfect' but then you realize, everyone has their own view on injustice! its pretty cool when you actually put thought into it, for example, some may view the bias against men in custody battles as injustice, meanwhile others will view it as perfectly just. Some will think it's an injustice that nonbinary genders arent generally legally recognized, some go 'oh thank god they aren't legally recognized.' so basically you'll always have riots no matter what :D

[@julesfuckingbonnot]

Because militant and Radical Direction gets satisfaction, direct action gets the goods!

[@C00kii0]

I want to ask a question but can't afford to be a patron...someday though...someday....

[@ScottMaday]

Did SciShowPsych predict Charolette?

[@GigasNEET]

is right i'm from Venezuela i see that everyday

[@brianswille]

or in Canada we riot if we win/lose a playoff hockey game. Example Edmonton/ Vancouver riots lol

[@CarvedParachute]

Brian Swille don’t forget Montreal lol

[@carissstewart3211]

This doesn't cover why sports fans will riot following a big win or, heaven forbid, a loss. Thus, at best, injustice need not be present but only "perceived" injustice.

[@OptionalBean]

Why not?

[@anthonytam5633]

How would you resolve the HK situation?

[@mimsydreams]

Because they're angry as hell, and they're not going to take it anymore!

[@km1dash6]

There are also paid instigators that can start riots. There are a many examples of governments or companies paying people to make protests either become violent, or simply look violent.

[@spinnis]

I wanna riot at rich people's palaces.

[@brianwyters2150]

What about other types of riot(eg.bread riot)?

[@kathleenhemsworth2474]

ooh. relevant.

[@RichieHendrixx]

If the police attacks you, not tries to arrest but physically harm you, then you want to protect yourself, right?

[@DspaZZfrmdaf]

Bcuz it’s fun 😎

[@James-pb7kr]

This comment section will be a riot.

[@MrFufi97]

Did some said Ministry of love..? Room 101? I clearly heard that

[@yumiz2913]

anyone know the title of the video talking about how economy is difficult to predict because it changes in response to predictions? Also had a political bit about how marx's revolution never happened, because he forgot dictators and ruling governments could read, they read his book then adapted their behaviour to be nicer to the proletariat so they never had a revolution? Thanks!

[@Olympia497]

Actually watching the video, well the more you know

[@DauntlessPT]

SciShow can you please make a video about the horoscope and its influence in our personality? Or if it has any influence at all?

[@dixielott]

2 people are going to start a riot

[@vinnycontini10]

Scishow in June 2020: 💵🤑💵🤑💵🤑💵🤑💵🤑💵🤑💵🤑💵🤑💵🤑

[@toyotaprius79]

yea...

[@khazix4833]

Time to embrace the inner chaos.. time to unleash the agent of chaos!!! GLA!!! GLA!!! GLA!!! GLA!!! GLA!!!

[@ZuGa1384]

If Daryl dies We Ra... Wait. wrong video.

[@AstroFocus]

Love this channel :D Really inspires me to make my, videos better.

[@willstr88]

AstroFocus Same

[@TheLegend-nj3gk]

Agreed.

[@cup_check_official]

same here. got inspired by Scishow

[@MusiCaninesTheMusicalDogs]

Look at all of you, spammers.

[@sethstrong7776]

#2 sounded pretty ok...

[@evanchartrand1408]

How do you explain the Vancouver riot of 2012 which happened after Vancouver lost a Stanley cup final

[@chickadeestevenson5440]

anger and booze. Also they would have rioted if they won anyway.

[@markhollas7585]

I don't... feels to me like most non-American cultures don't riot much... (looking at you Vancouver... stop it when the Nucks lose!) I am have been in Japan for almost 20 years and that type of thing just doesn't happen so I believe there are deeper cultural roots to this...

[@SteveSilverActor]

What about riots related to sports events, like when a team wins? There is not the sense of injustice there, one would think, given that their team has just won.

[@TheKeyote]

Sure seems like the same is true for police response to riots.

[@jebus6kryst]

You missed a great opportunity to have this video sponsored by Pepsi.

[@Flamingbob25]

So what are riots that involve no real injustice? Like sports victories?

[@squigoo]

great pride month episode! 💗💗💗

[@imontosomething2609]

And for what's going on in 2020.

[@caramazzola2399]

rioting is resistance against structural violence, its that simple

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

This would be a great opportunity to talk about Michel Foucault. Sometimes people riot because they just want to see the world burn.

[@Krizzylys]

I understand protests, but not riots.

[@bobfl42]

Rioting is like stampeding and I would suggest is driven more by a collective unconscious.

[@matthewjackson9615]

Mr. Know it all has been in a riot before ? People dont act mindlessly on instinct ?

[@tigerburn81]

Sports riots not addressed - only in the comments. Why could there be a riot on both the winning and losing side?

[@randommemesweekly4417]

so basically they become mindless violence zombies

[@mickmickymick6927]

They're trying to do no. 2 in China and Russia, let's hope they don't succeed.

[@josephfox9221]

im fine with everyone being forced to not leave their house

[@donniemiles8982]

Give them free air conditioners.

[@aymanlockhartable]

Noticed the difference the media narrates black and white riots!

[@saablazer1658]

I'm angry at XYZ so I'm going to destroy this random person's business. Makes perfect sense.

[@okaykell]

I often wondered about that. I think for many people who are rioting about injustices--the property they are destroying belongs to an outsider. Although the store may serve the community, the wealth is not circulated back into that community--making those people are target/scape goat for their frustration. Of course this is not always the case and this can´t explain those crazy sports´ riots that happen after a team wins or loses, but who knows.

[@septicbile2901]

you wanna start a riot? throw a chair.