|
|
|
October 26, 2010
The group dynamics of activism are predictable, but rarely dull!
An incident I don't want to blog about has reminded me of the dangers of the phenomenon of the agitated "choir." When activists get together, what starts as a chorus of agreement can escalate to the encouragement of obnoxious, even illegal behavior. Activists compete with each other, and sooner or later someone -- perhaps an agent provocateur -- will do something extreme or stupid or violent, and then he'll be cheered on, and the result becomes a victory for the other side. The reason I put the word "choir" in quotes is that what starts as a choir of activists tends to turn into something else: I am hardly alone in noticing that like-minded, single-issue activists often associate with -- and tend to exclusively surround themselves with -- other like-minded, single-issue activists. The result is what many call an echo chamber -- or "the choir." But I think "echo chamber" and "choir" are less than accurate terms, because the implication is that people are simply getting together and agreeing with each other in groups. When group dynamics are factored into single issue fanaticism, a lot more happens than mere group agreement. Because people are naturally competitive, many activists want to prove to the group that they are not only devoted to the cause, but more devoted than the others. This leads to extreme hyperbole, and the taking of positions which normal people would consider laughable.It's easy to understand the mechanism; after all, what could be more boring than an echo chamber of people sitting around agreeing with each other? Someone always has to liven things up, and tell people that they really aren't doing enough, that their positions are too moderate! Voices of reason are ridiculed or deemed suspect, rhetoric is ramped up, and things can go beyond merely taking positions normal people would consider laughable. And I don't mean group hugs. posted by Eric on 10.26.10 at 11:18 AM
Comments
Academic activists are a good example, and I'm pretty sure I have covered them at one time or another. So are union activists, anti-pornography activists, animal rights activists, environmentalist activists, gay activists, anti-gay activists, Islamist activists, birther activists, MADD activists, 911 Truther activists, feminist activists, Code Pink activists. I've had posts about all of them and more over these past seven years. By now I probably need a category. Eric Scheie · October 26, 2010 01:36 PM Yeah, I remember now. I guess I was preaching to the choir. :-) CBI · October 26, 2010 01:42 PM If you all are thinking about the alleged assautl of the MoveOn.com "activist" at a Rand Paul rally in Kentucky, please be real suspicious, that story doesnt pass the smell test. Like Althouse, I think the alleged assault was staged by the MoveOn.org folks themselves, to try to discredit the Rand Paul campaign. Daniel Fielding Smith · October 26, 2010 04:29 PM The man has been identified as Tim Profitt -- a Rand Paul activist: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/ybenjamin/detail?entry_id=75494 http://www.lisagraas.com/2010/10/paul-supporter-who-wrestled-woman-to.html http://pageonekentucky.com/2010/10/26/debate-attacker-possibly-identified/ Ann Althouse has updated, and gives this link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39844442/ns/us_news/?ocid=twitter (Please remember that I didn't blog about it, though. This is only a comment.) Eric Scheie · October 26, 2010 04:37 PM That same 'echo chamber effect' was, I believe, the reason for that little global warming video that so many were blogging about. THEY found it funny. Actually, after a few views, I found the last scene funny in a sort of ironic way (When Gillian Anderson gets blown up because of thinking talking about it on air was doing her part.) That being exactly what the skeptic side complains about ('Greens' flying all over the place to conferences, etc.) No pressure when you're in an echo chamber, baby. None at all. (I've been in a few...sigh.) I don't echo well. You'll notice I completely avoided the subject you aren't bloggin about. Kathy Kinsley · October 26, 2010 06:47 PM Post a comment
You may use basic HTML for formatting.
|
|
October 2010
WORLD-WIDE CALENDAR
Search the Site
E-mail
Classics To Go
Archives
October 2010
September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 May 2002 AB 1634 MBAPBSAAGOP Skepticism See more archives here Old (Blogspot) archives
Recent Entries
• The Law As Blackmail
• The group dynamics of activism are predictable, but rarely dull! • Soros buys "Culture War" issue, and donates it to the left • States' rights. A morally as well as legally irrelevant concept? • Does Michigan need a Pallbearer? Or a Doctor? • Lassie is a blasphemous Jewish bitch! • Getting A Hold • On the sentimental road to hell, I violated Godwin's Law with myself! • Wiki War • Desperate Dancing with Dynastic Democrat Dinosaurs
Links
Site Credits
|
|
Nice article. The tendency of a homogeneous group to move towards extremism is well known. I'd welcome your observations and examples to illustrate the effect, perhaps starting with departments in the humanities at many colleges.