Break the curse of conformity he says:
The problem with conformity is that it deprives society of information that it needs. I have emphasized the same problem with social cascades, in which people follow others and fail to disclose what they actually know. As a result of cascades, both individuals and groups can blunder badly. When grave injustice exists, it often persists only because most people have a false impression of what other people think. They silence themselves, thinking that others must be right or simply wanting to avoid social disapproval. The tragedy is that plunders and injustice could be avoided if only people would speak out.
(Quoted from page 210 of Why Societies Need Dissent, by Cass R. Sunstein. First Harvard University Press paperback edition, 2005.)
For Cass R. Sunstein’s home page, click here. For images of and relating to Cass R. Sunstein, click here.
The problem with conformity is that it deprives society of information that it needs. I have emphasized the same problem with social cascades, in which people follow others and fail to disclose what they actually know. As a result of cascades, both individuals and groups can blunder badly. When grave injustice exists, it often persists only because most people have a false impression of what other people think. They silence themselves, thinking that others must be right or simply wanting to avoid social disapproval. The tragedy is that plunders and injustice could be avoided if only people would speak out.
(Quoted from page 210 of Why Societies Need Dissent, by Cass R. Sunstein. First Harvard University Press paperback edition, 2005.)
For Cass R. Sunstein’s home page, click here. For images of and relating to Cass R. Sunstein, click here.
Comments