Mind's Eye Re: the majority opinion

Been a bit tied up with the auto show at work. Just can't seem to
sleep enough. Might catch up by Valentine's day! I am a department of
one at work. And like it that way. But blend into bigger groups like
waves. Not much of majority rule touches me as I have always seemed
to move with groups but in an independent fashion. All I know of
opinions is, I find myself having fewer of them as time goes on. And,
I am happy (most days). Happy for a shout out from Gabby. How far we
have come.

On Jan 25, 2:25 pm, Gabby <gabbyd...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ah, rigs. :( Where is Molly by the way?
> Let's give the majority opinion problem a hearty positive spin and say: the
> majority of Germans is happy that the majority of Americans is happily
> forming their opinions in America and exchange it over there. :)
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> On Friday, January 25, 2013 2:03:29 PM UTC+1, rigs wrote:
>
> > And very often their very existence does depend upon going along with
> > the majority. However, one feature of democracy is that of dissent but
> > it can be risky esp. if the majority has a mob mentality. When you
> > think of the average classroom it is obvious that the pattern is to
> > echo rather than question and the same applies to other areas of life.
> > It is just as likely that the group can be corrupt so "membership" can
> > be a doom- ex: Nazis, etc.
>
> > On Jan 25, 1:43 am, archytas <nwte...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > If there is one concept on Earth that has been the absolute bane of
> > > human existence (besides global elitism), it would have to be the
> > > concept of the "majority opinion".  The moment men began refusing to
> > > develop their own world views without first asking "What does everyone
> > > else think?", they set themselves up for an endless future of
> > > failures.  We are, of course, very social beings, and our natures
> > > drive us to seek those of like mind and spirit in what some might call
> > > a "tribal imperative".  However, this imperative to organize is often
> > > manipulated by those who understand the psychological mechanisms
> > > behind it.  Oligarchs and tyrants abuse and exploit the inherent
> > > social natures of the people in order to fool them into abandoning
> > > their individuality for the sake of the group, or some abstract and
> > > dishonest ideal.  When successful, the organization of a culture
> > > becomes bitter and twisted, changing from a tribe or a community of
> > > sovereign individuals, into a nightmare collective of soulless sheep.
>
> > > Human beings desperately want to belong, but, they also desperately
> > > want to understand the environment around them.  Often, the desire to
> > > belong and the desire to know the truth conflict.  In some societies,
> > > in order to be accepted, one must give up on his search for truth and
> > > avoid eliciting the anger of others.  This causes a severe mental and
> > > emotional disturbance within a population.  In order to reconcile
> > > their conflicting needs within a system that does not nurture their
> > > quest for transparency, they tend to unconsciously cling to the
> > > "majority view" as if their very existence depends on it.  The idea of
> > > the majority view or the "mainstream", gives people the sense that
> > > they are a part of a group, and at the same time, gives them the
> > > illusion of being informed.
>
> > > The above from Zerohedge - is it right?  What does it say about our
> > > general ability to argue rationally?  I agree with what is said here -
> > > yet believe it suggests we need a radical alternative of education as
> > > we have experienced it.

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