OT: The New Groupthink

[flyer]

As a very independent thinker, I’ve always been fascinated by the way our culture as a whole often forces a “Groupthink” mentality upon almost every aspect of our lives–even housing purchases–and how this phenomenon shapes us as individuals and as a society.

Just thought some of you might find this article interesting. . .

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/opinion/sunday/the-rise-of-the-new-groupthink.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

[flyer]

After being involved in projects with a couple of friends who hold a few patents and trademarks, it’s interesting to see how very different the thought process is among those who actually “create.”

[paramount]

That article was a real self-image booster…now I don’t feel so bad about being a loner.

[CA renter]

I wonder how many Piggs are introverts…

[desmond]

I had read this article

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/snow-sports/Tunnel-Vision-November-2012.html

on the flight over to Kauai regarding an expert group of skiers, very knowledgable on avalanches. 3 end up dead due to an avalanche. While hiking with another couple up a steep hill near Wailua River the husband who was overweight and out of shape was really struggling, I suggested he and his wife head back down and we would hike another 10-15 minutes up and then meet them at the car. Both wifes said no Johnny can make it, I remembered the article when nobody would speak up and I just said no turn around and we will meet you at the car. They did, we hiked for another 10 minutes and then went back down and met them at the car and everybody was happy. I probably would not have spoken up if I had not read the article, so it is very easy to get stuck in Groupthink.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=CA renter]I wonder how many Piggs are introverts…[/quote]

I’m actually an “extrovert” with people around but enjoy solitude …. very much :=]

[bearishgurl]

I read the article, as well. I don’t think most of the sheeple want(ed) to `rock the boat.’ They keep their opinions to themselves. I have found that most people don’t want to try to make things better, they just want(ed) to get their paycheck every two weeks and eventually “retire.”

Most people who observe a physical fight going on will not try to goad the perpetrator to stop or step in to help the victim. Some will disappear around the corner to call 911.

It is completely true that most work meetings are a complete waste of time. It’s a chance for the same lackeys over and over to try and take credit for others’ work product or the “PTB’s” to pat each other on the back. The employees who were usually “recognized” in these meetings often had poor attendance records (causing their co-workers to constantly fill in for them) and exhibited poor character in other ways on the job.

And twelve workers (even all of the same classification) bumping their heads together in a meeting is akin to a comedy of errors :=0

Not sure if anything’s changed in the last eight or so years, since I was a “cog in a wheel.”

I much prefer taking control of a whole project by myself. That way, no one else can fvck it up if I have to be out of the office for any reason. The only person who can take credit for it is me, myself and I (and thusly get paid for ALL of it).

Okay, I’ll take credit for having some “control-freak” tendencies :=}

I think forming and maintaining “teams” are a ridiculous waste of money for employers. It just invites wasting time and socializing among team members.

[flyer]

Really enjoyed reading all of your responses. Even though I don’t really consider myself to be an introvert in general, I am definitely not a “groupthinker.” It seems most pilots are not.

I know some of my best creative work (developing consulting projects, inventions, etc.) have been done in solitude, and it sounds like many of you can relate.

Perhaps, per the article, the “lone genius” is not in vogue, because, sadly, there aren’t too many of them.

[no_such_reality]

“If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Someone else made that happen.”

[all]

[quote=no_such_reality]“If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Someone else made that happen.” [/quote]

Expanded quote, from your link

If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn’t get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.

[sdduuuude]

While solitude is awesome for creativity, it isn’t such a good environment for generating sales.

[no_such_reality]

[quote=craptcha][quote=no_such_reality]“If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Someone else made that happen.” [/quote]

Expanded quote, from your link

If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn’t get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.[/quote]

LOL aside. Group think in action.

[ucodegen]

[quote=no_such_reality]
LOL aside. Group think in action.[/quote]Since the next big pocket from Government is big business.. the quote

Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.

could be expanded by a big company to say

Big Business research created the invention A so that all the companies could make money off the invention A and pay everyone elses salaries – aka trickle down…

Yes the gov provided the money for the research.. but I don’t think any politicians or their subordinate bureaucrat got their hands dirty on actually implementing and designing the Internet… or likewise a big business and some other big thing.

PS: Another term for “Group Think” in terms of decision making.. is “Group Grope”.. and usually results in the lowest or worst decision possible.

[an]

[quote=craptcha]Expanded quote, from your link

If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn’t get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.[/quote]IIRC, the first internet got funded through defense. Aren’t we talking about cutting defense budget?

[bearishgurl]

[quote=ucodegen] … PS: Another term for “Group Think” in terms of decision making.. is “Group Grope”.. and usually results in the lowest or worst decision possible.[/quote]

The “group” is only as good as its lowest common denominator . . . who has been likely skating on the coattails of its more creative, productive members for years.

That’s been my experience with “groups,” lol …

[quote=sdduuuude]While solitude is awesome for creativity, it isn’t such a good environment for generating sales.[/quote]

I partially agree with this, but if you have a job which involves concentration and production to deadlines, then a “Groupthink” environment just gums up the works, IMO.

[Author]

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