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Dangers of 'group think' harmful for ideas
Scott Conover
Issue date: 4/6/09 Section: Forum
Oftentimes when we talk to other people who we like or trust, we tend to avoid severe arguments or differences. Instead, we frequently choose to quietly agree to whatever viewpoint is dominant in our peer groups. This is usually termed as "group think," and it is one of the most prevalent issues in American life today.
In terms of space exploration and settlement, the issues of group think certainly pertain to people who may be for or against it, or even to people who do not take a side. Space exploration is new and relatively complex, and if we engage in group think with regard to it, then a successful settlement in space may be doomed by mediocrity or even failure.
From shared opinions on television shows, to stances on political events, group think shapes many of our viewpoints, and often crushes our own stances due to external pressures to let go of our perspective. Sometimes in the form of stances or opinions on various controversies, or else in the specter of past experiences, group think has unique ramifications on intellectual thought.
The fact is that if we allow group think to dominate our personal viewpoints - intellectual, moral, and spiritual - then we are akin to empty shells, allowing other people and other groups to determine what is right, what is wrong and what is best.
While indeed very poor for society, group think has a profound affect on scientific examination and on intellectual perspectives. An inability to break the intellectual barriers and think on your own terms, even while having evaluated evidence available, may not only doom space exploration, but also any hope of success for any society seeking new scientific breakthroughs.
Not only does group think hamper new thoughts and ideas, but it also creates homogenous viewpoints which are often resistant to change and which are very dangerous to technological progress. If people are unable to hold a discussion of views that do not break away from the group mentality in any way, then new ideas cannot take hold and flourish.
In terms of space exploration and settlement, the issues of group think certainly pertain to people who may be for or against it, or even to people who do not take a side. Space exploration is new and relatively complex, and if we engage in group think with regard to it, then a successful settlement in space may be doomed by mediocrity or even failure.
From shared opinions on television shows, to stances on political events, group think shapes many of our viewpoints, and often crushes our own stances due to external pressures to let go of our perspective. Sometimes in the form of stances or opinions on various controversies, or else in the specter of past experiences, group think has unique ramifications on intellectual thought.
The fact is that if we allow group think to dominate our personal viewpoints - intellectual, moral, and spiritual - then we are akin to empty shells, allowing other people and other groups to determine what is right, what is wrong and what is best.
While indeed very poor for society, group think has a profound affect on scientific examination and on intellectual perspectives. An inability to break the intellectual barriers and think on your own terms, even while having evaluated evidence available, may not only doom space exploration, but also any hope of success for any society seeking new scientific breakthroughs.
Not only does group think hamper new thoughts and ideas, but it also creates homogenous viewpoints which are often resistant to change and which are very dangerous to technological progress. If people are unable to hold a discussion of views that do not break away from the group mentality in any way, then new ideas cannot take hold and flourish.
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la crisis economica
posted 4/06/09 @ 1:14 PM PST
One of the great fallacies of all times is group-think. It occurs as a person lets identification with a group cloud their reasoning and deliberations when reaching a position on a given issue. (Continued…)
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