Watch Why We Hate

Why We Hate is a six-part documentary series produced by Steven Spielberg and Alex Gibney for the Discovery Channel. The show explores the origins and nature of hate, using a combination of scientific research and real-life examples. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of hate, including its biological and evolutionary roots, how it's perpetuated through social media, and its impact on both individuals and societies.

Through a mixture of interviews with experts, survivors, and perpetrators, as well as archival footage, Why We Hate presents a nuanced and often brutal examination of this destructive emotion. The show draws on the perspectives of historians, psychologists, anthropologists, and neuroscientists, among others, to explore the topic from multiple angles.

The first episode, "Origins," explores the biological and evolutionary roots of hate, arguing that it is a survival instinct that has allowed humans to identify and defend against threats. The second, "Tribalism," explores how hate is perpetuated through group identity and a natural tendency to divide ourselves into us-versus-them categories. The third, "Tools & Tactics," explores how online platforms and social media have facilitated the spread of hate speech and propaganda.

The fourth episode, "Enemies Within," examines the psychological and social factors that lead people to turn on their own communities, while the fifth, "Us and Them," looks at how we define who is "in" and who is "out," and how these distinctions can become enshrined in laws and policies that perpetuate hate. Finally, the sixth episode, "Moving Forward," looks at some of the ways people are trying to combat hate, from intervening in schools to fighting online hate speech.

Throughout the series, viewers are presented with a range of perspectives on hate, and there are no easy answers. The show doesn't shy away from some of the difficult questions, including the role of politicians and the media in perpetuating hate, as well as the idea that hate can sometimes be justified as a response to oppression or violence.

While some may find the series heavy going, it's a powerful and necessary exploration of a topic that is increasingly dominating the news cycle. It's not always an easy watch - some of the stories are truly heartbreaking - but it's a timely and important reminder that hate is a part of the human experience, and that we need to confront it if we want to live in a better world.

One of the strengths of the series is its use of personal stories to illustrate some of the key points. By focusing on the experiences of individual survivors and perpetrators, we get to see the human impact of hate. For example, one episode features a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, who describes how her own mother was raped and murdered in front of her by her next-door neighbors. These stories are difficult to watch, but they drive home the message that hate destroys lives.

Overall, Why We Hate is a powerful and thought-provoking series that deserves a wide audience. While it's often painful to watch, it's a necessary reminder that we need to confront hate if we want to build a better future. If you're looking for a deep dive into one of the most pressing issues of our time, this series is well worth your time.

Why We Hate is a series that ran for 1 seasons (9 episodes) between October 13, 2019 and on Discovery