The Crowd: a Study of Popular Psychology

2024.12.19.15.00 The intellectual qualities of the individuals who make up the group cannot be taken into account. This quality has no importance. From the moment they form a group, the learned lose the ability to observe as much as the ignorant. The emotional irritability of groups, especially in heterogeneous groups, is intensified by the disappearance of all sense of responsibility. The greater the awareness that mistakes are certain to go unpunished, and the greater the number of people who have this awareness, the more certain it becomes that the temporary advantage arising from their numbers will enable a group to display emotions and behaviors that a single individual would not be able to display. Only experience, the supreme teacher of mankind, will endeavor to reveal our errors. It alone has sufficient force to prove that our disgusting textbooks and miserable examinations must be abolished and replaced by diligent education. If you want to make a group believe something, you must first fully understand the feelings that excite them, pretend that you also have these feelings, and then use rudimentary associations to change their ideas with some outstanding suggestive ideas. In this way, if necessary, you can return to the point of view that was originally proposed and explore bit by bit the feelings that gave rise to this statement. These leaders often have a knack for watching people's opinions, looking out for their own interests, and trying to persuade with an instinct for flattery. It's a book worth reading and studying for the second time. Still the same summary: Staying away from the crowd is the best way to stay sane. More people = lower IQ.

It's a bit difficult to understand, but you can learn something anyway. Let me sort it out for you. "The Crowd" Core: When people gather together and become a group, their IQ drops directly, their emotions get high, and their brains disappear. Individual vs group • Alone: rational, calm, have three views, able to think, understand right and wrong • After integrating into the crowd: IQ plummets, temper rises, lacks independent opinions, and follows the crowd You are usually very sensible, but when you follow a group of people, you tend to be impulsive and cause trouble, and follow the trend of others. Three major characteristics of groups Unconscious dominance: Don't rely on brains, rely on instinct, believe whatever others say, don't like to reason, only listen to emotions Emotional extremes: Either crazy praise or crazy slander, it's black or white, there is no middle ground Loss of responsibility: The law does not blame the masses. When a group of people do something wrong, no one feels they are at fault. Groups only use these three sets of sayings (the most practical) 1. Assertion: jump to conclusions without explanation. Example: This thing is wrong, there is no need to analyze it 2. Repeat: keep saying it over and over again If you tell too many lies, people will automatically take it as the truth. 3. Emotional contagion When one person is excited, the entire audience becomes excited, and the emotion spreads to everyone in an instant 4. What do groups hate most? Dislike reason, logic, evidence, details Group favorites: slogans, passion, myths, heroes, simple right and wrong Short sentences about the truth that touch your heart • The masses never need the truth, only what they want to believe • The simpler and cruder the viewpoint, the easier it is to be accepted by the public • Fame is more effective than strength. Everyone worships fame but not truth. • Groups can only destroy, and it is difficult to build rationally • No matter how many smart people there are, together they will become mediocre. Uses after understanding: 1. Stop following online public opinions and don't be carried away by your emotions. 2. Online quarrels and siding are mostly group emotions, there is no need to be serious. 3. Try to be alone and calm when you encounter problems, and don't make decisions in a crowd. 4. Distinguish brainwashing tactics: Just shouting slogans, not providing evidence, repeatedly swiping the screen = rabble-rousing routines Summary: Keep your heart when alone, and keep your mouth when in groups. Don't let group sentiment rob you of independent thinking.

I don't know if it's a translation problem, but I found it difficult to listen to many sentences. I chose a high-rated movie before, but couldn't listen to it. I could listen to this one. It's a pity that I can't understand the original work. I will read it again when I have time. I reread it again and it should be rated five points. No matter what, the book is a good book and I have benefited a lot.

Not bad, very good

Analyze the nature of groups, or the rules of group operation, and read it often. The harvest is very big.