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Social Networking - Herd Mentality - A Case Study
By Kimberly Bock | July 21, 2008
Social Networking - Second Guessing
I couldn’t figure out which title would be best for this post. It began with 4 possible choices:
- Please Don’t Feed The Animals
- Biting The Hand That Feeds you
- Potty training In 7 Days or Less (as a LoL to Doug Heils comment)
- or Potty Training The Animals While They Bite The Hand That Feeds Them
But, I’d rather not be focused on negative energy today, only my usual notations of observations in the blogosphere. So, the present title stands.
Social Networking - Two Sides to Every Story?
Aaron Wall’s “Unintended Consequences” article was unbiased, yet provoked much thought and responses on both his blog and at Sphinn as well. (Sphunn post here)
A select few, who may possibly be considered to have personal agendas, made it very clear that “herd mentality” is not only the norm, but is also supported..sometimes by whatever means necessary.
If you have an opinion contrary to the ‘herd’, they want you to feel cautious about voicing it.
It’s evident that your input (if contrary) will not be shined upon favorably by those who defend ‘herd mentality’.
Social Networking - Herd Mentality
For those who are not clear about the definition of ‘herd mentality’, I’d like to note a few things provided by Wikipedia in regards to it’s meaning:
“Herd mentality describes how people are influenced by their peers to adopt certain behaviors, follow trends, and/or purchase items.”
Photo credits here
“The term herd mentality is derived from the word “herd,” meaning group of animals, and “mentality,” implying a certain frame of mind. However the most succinct definition would be: how large numbers of people act in the same ways at the same times..”
“Herd behavior is distinguished from herd mentality because it applies to all animals, whereas the term “mentality” implies a uniquely human phenomenon. Herd mentality implies a fear-based reaction to peer pressure which makes individuals act in order to avoid feeling “left behind” from the group.”
Photo credits here
It further goes on to note that it is also referred to as ‘group mind” and “Mob behavior”.
Social Networking - Black Sheep To Follow
I am really beginning to see the need to follow people like Doug Heil, iHelpYou Forum, who has terrific knowledge and is not afraid to speak his mind. No fear of the herd.
Also, take note of people like Edward Lewis. Yea, so what? He’s a bit abrasive at times. Why wouldn’t he be? He was basically treated as if his knowledge doesn’t mean squat, even though he’s used it to help everyone he’s encountered.
He has the inside truth on Sphinn and tried to share his years of expertise with them so as to remove the funk and improve their environment.
But, obviously, ‘herd mentality’ is more important to them than a human being.
He wasn’t of the herd, even though his contributions helped Sphinn to do a lot of security cleaning.
During the discussion in Sphinn, Jill Whalen and I varied in opinion quite a bit.
She defends injustices while I refute them.
Notice one of the examples of the conversation between us,
“if you go to Singapore and you commit acts of vandalism, be prepared for a caning.” (me quoting Jill)
My response:”Haha..It’s funny that you chose to use that analogy Jill, cause you basically just summed up what this is about.
Does that make caning right? Acceptable? Warranted?
What would the United Nations say? What would Amnesty International say? Both organizations have condemned the practice as cruel and inhumane torture and a violation of human rights Jill.
The mindset is the same in comparison. In fact, you are the one that offered the comparison..I didn’t..remember that.
Let’s not be children about this. I think the thread has been thoroughly discussed, and it doesn’t seem to go any further than where it began. A few terrific points get brushed under the rug and I’m not here to be hateful. I do not have any agendas. I agree to disagree with you. And you’ll hear me respond to you no more in this thread. It’s a shame it had to move in circles for 2 days.”
Jills response ought to say enough about where she stands on the ‘make positive change’ menu:
“It doesn’t matter. It’s the law in Singapore. If you go there and vandalize because you don’t care about their laws, expect to be caned, and don’t whine about it later when you are because it’s not right.
Instead either don’t go to Singapore if you can’t help but vandalize stuff, or go there, but be very careful not to vandalize, even though you may have a tendency towards vandalism.
Let’s not be children about this. (my quote)
Where is anyone being childish? It looks like a good discussion to me other than that one unfortunate analogy.”
Yea, now there’s someone concerned with consumer rights ey?
Bait. Hook. Snatch.
I’d like to close with the words of Roger Montii (martinibuster) of Webmaster World:
“I’m a bit reluctant to post a comment here because I’m a mod of three forums over at Webmaster World and I don’t mean to presume to teach the mods over here how to do their job because I respect the job they do and the experience they bring to it. However, I also think a mistake was made and it’s hard to keep my mouth shut on this because I’m a part of this community too. I have contributed several bug reports to help out when Sphinn was getting off the ground and contribute in the usual way as a community member. So please don’t take offense if I offer some constructive criticism. It’s good to listen to what your own users are telling you.
>>>The Sphinn mods did a great job of handling the situation swiftly and appropriately (>>>quoting Jill)
Edward came here to help and he did. He exposed bots and rogue activity and he has subsequently documented a security flaw in pligg (which means Sphinn, too).
Now here is my constructive criticism, offered in the spirit of helping: Seems like there was an overreaction and the messenger was shot.”
(PS: When you see ‘herd mentality’, don’t do what I did. Instead learn from it. I won’t say Michael Streko is a butthole, for posting this about my previous way of handling reviews.
It’s something you can read and learn from. Now I write more creatively. Learn from my mistakes. Just say no to poorly written reviews. 
)
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Topics: Controversy, Social Media |
July 21st, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Hi Kimberly, I think many have known about these types of reactions and the sheep mentality in this industry. It’s something you just don’t talk about however. If you do, you are instantly chastised by those who are members of the herd. It then just goes up the line to Danny who will agree with any other member below him, as long as they agree with him. It’s a circle type thing.
As many know, I’ve never bought into the sheep/herd mentality….. not ever. Not in this industry, and not in any other industry I’ve been in. I’ve always been the loud one who called out the bad stuff. Oh yes, maybe I can be a tad to loud and too rude at times, but I’m not sure anything else would work. This industry is a whole new thing by itself. There is nothing else like it. You can be a blackhat OR even a liar and a cheat who deceives others for a monetary gain, but as long as you are a part of that herd, nothing will be said to you as the herd rules all. It’s sad. It’s pathetic. It’s just a fact. Edward got caught up in all the politics and such over there. I’ve known Edward for probably about ten years and know he’s a guy with integrity and has also gained the respect of many of us, including me. He was treated like dirt over there. It didn’t surprise me at all. It’s just simply another fact.
I couldn’t help but laugh when reading this. Good stuff!
July 21st, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I can remember when Jill Whalen used to post in the I Help You Forums. Back then, she was claiming links do matter for ranking. She then started her forum, started telling people she was an expert and if you say it enough times to the “herds” people start to believe it.
While I’m sure Jill has knowledge, she is no more knowledgeable than anybody else who has been doing this for a long time.
It amazes me that people think she is some sort of SEO god when I reality, she is no better than the rest of them
July 21st, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I meant to say, “she was claiming links do not matter for ranking” in the above post.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:43 am
I’m not involved with Sphinn so don’t know anything about this.
Group-think is one of the weaknesses of the blogosphere, which facilitates people of likemind finding each other. It’s more a venue for expression of opinion than debate and learning I think.
I’m not sure where to go with this? A maverick site? Which I guess this is in some ways.
Evans last blog post..Blogs on Health and Business
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:42 pm
I’m thinking your 4th idea for the title was the best: “Potty Training The Animals While They Bite The Hand That Feeds Them.”
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