By Jim Hingst
Birds
of a feather flock together. It is only natural. You feel more comfortable
among people with whom you share opinions. That way, you avoid arguments and
conflict. What’s dangerous about this behavior is that it leads to what
psychologists call “groupthink”. Instead
of making judgments or decisions predicated on independent reason, we go with
the flow because it is easier than the risk of ruffling a few feathers.
of a feather flock together. It is only natural. You feel more comfortable
among people with whom you share opinions. That way, you avoid arguments and
conflict. What’s dangerous about this behavior is that it leads to what
psychologists call “groupthink”. Instead
of making judgments or decisions predicated on independent reason, we go with
the flow because it is easier than the risk of ruffling a few feathers.
According
to self-help guru Anthony Robbins, it is in our nature to avoid pain and to do
that which increases pleasure. It is more pleasurable to conform rather than to
express our reservations on any topic and suffer the pangs of condemnation by
the group that we identify with.
to self-help guru Anthony Robbins, it is in our nature to avoid pain and to do
that which increases pleasure. It is more pleasurable to conform rather than to
express our reservations on any topic and suffer the pangs of condemnation by
the group that we identify with.
This
is especially true when it comes to political affiliation. It is easier to
listen to news channels that provide content that reaffirms the point of view
of your group. The problem is that when groupthink occurs, the members of a
group can make bad collective decisions.
is especially true when it comes to political affiliation. It is easier to
listen to news channels that provide content that reaffirms the point of view
of your group. The problem is that when groupthink occurs, the members of a
group can make bad collective decisions.
Few
today think that our country’s involvement in Vietnam was a good idea. Yet at
the time, the lines dividing our nation were clearly drawn. No matter which
side you were on, whether you supported or were against the war, your views
aligned or conformed to those of your group. You were either passionate about “my
country right or wrong” or “hell no, we won’t go”. What’s more, your mind was
shut to any opposing viewpoints. What’s
to discuss, when your side is right.
today think that our country’s involvement in Vietnam was a good idea. Yet at
the time, the lines dividing our nation were clearly drawn. No matter which
side you were on, whether you supported or were against the war, your views
aligned or conformed to those of your group. You were either passionate about “my
country right or wrong” or “hell no, we won’t go”. What’s more, your mind was
shut to any opposing viewpoints. What’s
to discuss, when your side is right.
The
phenomenon of groupthink provides us an explanation for millions of Germans
following Hitler. It is all about conformity. You can’t dismiss that behavior as merely that was then. You
see the same type of behavior now among groups, such as Antifa. The rhetoric
and the chants affirm groupthink. If you want to get along in academia, or work among the elites in the mainstream media or in Hollywood, you better submit to their norms.
In these spheres, there is no independent thought, no
questioning of assumptions and no discourse. The Left is all about diversity, just along as
you conform to what they regard as acceptable or politically correct. They are all about independent thought, as long as you believe what the group believes. If you voice an opposing point of view, other members of the group may publicly castigate for you opinions or ostracize you from your social circles or your professional community.
This is the way a group controls it members, whether consciously or not. Don’t stand out. Don’t be different. If you want to get along, go along. People usually like to view themselves as the rebel. In fact, our popular culture celebrates the suffering hero, who stands alone from the rest of the tribe and courageously fights for what is right. The reality is much different.
What is really dangerous is when
groupthink whips passions into a frenzy and explodes into threats or harassment in public spaces or violence in the streets.
phenomenon of groupthink provides us an explanation for millions of Germans
following Hitler. It is all about conformity. You can’t dismiss that behavior as merely that was then. You
see the same type of behavior now among groups, such as Antifa. The rhetoric
and the chants affirm groupthink. If you want to get along in academia, or work among the elites in the mainstream media or in Hollywood, you better submit to their norms.
In these spheres, there is no independent thought, no
questioning of assumptions and no discourse. The Left is all about diversity, just along as
you conform to what they regard as acceptable or politically correct. They are all about independent thought, as long as you believe what the group believes. If you voice an opposing point of view, other members of the group may publicly castigate for you opinions or ostracize you from your social circles or your professional community.
This is the way a group controls it members, whether consciously or not. Don’t stand out. Don’t be different. If you want to get along, go along. People usually like to view themselves as the rebel. In fact, our popular culture celebrates the suffering hero, who stands alone from the rest of the tribe and courageously fights for what is right. The reality is much different.
What is really dangerous is when
groupthink whips passions into a frenzy and explodes into threats or harassment in public spaces or violence in the streets.
About Jim Hingst: Sign business authority on vehicle wraps, vinyl graphics, screen printing, marketing, sales, gold leaf, woodcarving and painting.
After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.
Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer. Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.
Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 190 articles for publications, such as Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 500 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published. Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon.
© 2018 Jim Hingst, All Rights Reserved.