*Xenophobia: The Short Version* Xenophobia = fear of strangers. From Greek _xenos_ "foreigner" + _phobos_ "fear." *What it looks like:* Fear, distrust, or hatred of people from other countries, cultures, or groups. Not just dislike – it’s the instinct to see "outsiders" as a threat. *Why it spreads:* 1. *Scarcity panic* – "They’ll take jobs/housing/resources." 2. *Uncertainty* – Unfamiliar languages, customs, faces feel risky to the brain. 3. *Tribal shortcuts* – Us vs Them is easy. Understanding takes work. *What it costs:* Kills innovation, fractures communities, and turns neighbors into suspects. Every nation built by immigrants eventually forgets it was built by immigrants. *Antidote:* Proximity beats prejudice. Share a meal. Hear a story. Most "them" turns into "us" once you know a name. Fear shrinks the world. Curiosity makes it bigger.