Wisdom of the Masses
Twelve plus years ago my primary partner was reading a book (among many others) that they were interested in.
The topic was understanding the wisdom of the masses.
I laughed at the title saying,
“the point of a statement like the wisdom of the masses can only lead to a bottom-line that there is no wisdom in the masses“
I think & believe that anyone with experience in social conditioning in groups, schools, churches, etc. know how a group of people can gather, rise up, and sway opinion based on a few ring leaders (even modern day memes, social media platforms, and even movements, etc. bear witness to common day exercises and substantial proof of these – many times at the detriment of minorities and the weak or vulnerable)
Many bad things can happen
The masses are easy to control if there are many of them – that’s peer pressure – that’s popularity – its cliques…
In my opinion, it is not something you gain wisdom from – it is something you learn to react to in order to keep yourself and others safe. Sometimes it is safest not to stand out, or to feign agreement, or reserve your voice/opinion.
Knowing how to respond to mass opinion, rumors, gossip, mainstream culture, and present-day truth… -this is the knowledge(or wisdom) that those of us who make it to the next day of life know all too well – it is a skill, it takes time & effort, it takes concentration, it takes a GREAT deal of care.
You protect yourself by understanding how others operate and what is going on in the world.
You can protect the things or people you love by understanding how society, government, or other authorities are moving, acting, or thinking.
If there is danger, you try to avoid it, stop it if you can, but otherwise – retreat – leave for something else or something better in a new place.
I know that as my partner read the book they shared how mysteriously polling a group of individuals they were able to find a shipwreck or submarine (saving peoples lives as a matter of fact).
Our technology still limited, somehow the wisdom of a poll of a group of individuals – when put through a statistical equation or machine of some sort – the experts were able to use that data to deduce where the stranded people were and rescue them… hence “the wisdom of the masses”.
But that could just be a fluke.
Or a one off thing…
People do learn to self-govern in a public setting and there are a variety of ways by which this is applied or completed.
A good (but also bad) example is shame or guilt culture – used to great affect to control great droves of people – primarily those with particular morals or ethics (heavy church or conservative group representative)
There are also bullying techniques – proving that brute force or retaliation can achieve or put forward a specific agenda (again a “wisdom of the masses” that does not sit well with a pacifistic humanitarian like myself)
These sorts of “wisdom” I see in protests (both from the sides I support, but also the sides I do not), I see them in areas of education and intellect (the college scene) – but also in the platforms of stupidity – or the superficial – and other mainstream culture scenes (social media, etc)
So is there any wisdom in the masses? Or is it really just meaninglessness at the end of the day?
Where is the Movement for You today? What are You supporting? Who do you Serve?
Is it You or is it your Community? Or is it Both?
How does that make you feel?
