Detribalization

Detribalization is the collapse of a tribal and feudal hierarchy. It happens any time a hot and mechanical medium is introduced to such a culture. By contrast, electric media may be more likely to result in retribalization.

The fact that mechanical media detribalize may be explained by the fact that they result in specialism of roles that were previously shared.

One example of such detribalization is print's effect on Western medieval culture. For cultures other than the ones in which print developed, the influx of mechanical media is jarring, because the culture is not prepared for a gradual transition into their effects.