Comments on: the wisdom of crowds http://sob.apotheon.org/?p=326 [ scion of backronymics ] Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:01:18 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Jem Mackay http://sob.apotheon.org/?p=326&cpage=1#comment-276352 Jem Mackay Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:28:52 +0000 http://sob.apotheon.org/?p=326#comment-276352 I've read Surowieki's book, and found it quite interesting. In it, he looks at several places where the crowds are definitely not wise as well as where they are. The three statements above are also interesting and may be true in some circumstances, but at least Surowieki gives evidence for his arguments! Personally, I think that there is power in mob mentality and where there is power there is also the possibility to be wise - look at at Live Aid perhaps? I've read Surowieki's book, and found it quite interesting. In it, he looks at several places where the crowds are definitely not wise as well as where they are. The three statements above are also interesting and may be true in some circumstances, but at least Surowieki gives evidence for his arguments! Personally, I think that there is power in mob mentality and where there is power there is also the possibility to be wise – look at at Live Aid perhaps?

]]> By: therollingstone http://sob.apotheon.org/?p=326&cpage=1#comment-274271 therollingstone Sun, 16 Dec 2007 10:11:57 +0000 http://sob.apotheon.org/?p=326#comment-274271 I'm not sure if applying the theory of the "wisdom of crowds" to Wikipedia is correct or not but I'm wondering if any of you have actually read James Surowiecki's book and would care to comment on that. I'm not sure if applying the theory of the "wisdom of crowds" to Wikipedia is correct or not but I'm wondering if any of you have actually read James Surowiecki's book and would care to comment on that.

]]> By: Chipping the web - aleph to taw -- Chip’s Quips http://sob.apotheon.org/?p=326&cpage=1#comment-266039 Chipping the web - aleph to taw -- Chip’s Quips Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:46:40 +0000 http://sob.apotheon.org/?p=326#comment-266039 [...] The unwisdom of crowds. [...] [...] The unwisdom of crowds. [...]

]]> By: Justin James http://sob.apotheon.org/?p=326&cpage=1#comment-264596 Justin James Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:02:39 +0000 http://sob.apotheon.org/?p=326#comment-264596 Yes, that phrase likewise makes me shudder. I love it when folks try to apply it to open source. What makes open source work most certainly is *not* the "wisdom of the crowds". J.Ja Yes, that phrase likewise makes me shudder. I love it when folks try to apply it to open source. What makes open source work most certainly is not the "wisdom of the crowds".

J.Ja

]]> By: apotheon http://sob.apotheon.org/?p=326&cpage=1#comment-264499 apotheon Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:28:29 +0000 http://sob.apotheon.org/?p=326#comment-264499 I've basically had this opinion since the very first time I heard that insipid phrase -- "the wisdom of crowds". As I experience more, and encounter more evidence of how "the wisdom of crowds" works, I find that opinion only strengthened. People sometimes refer to "the wisdom of crowds" in reference to the success of Wikipedia, as if getting large numbers of people together magically produces wonders. The truth is that a project like Wikipedia involves careful planning, vigilance, and a hell of a lot of work, to say nothing of ingenuity and a tendency to be able to fit process to the realities of economic and game theory. I've basically had this opinion since the very first time I heard that insipid phrase — "the wisdom of crowds". As I experience more, and encounter more evidence of how "the wisdom of crowds" works, I find that opinion only strengthened.

People sometimes refer to "the wisdom of crowds" in reference to the success of Wikipedia, as if getting large numbers of people together magically produces wonders. The truth is that a project like Wikipedia involves careful planning, vigilance, and a hell of a lot of work, to say nothing of ingenuity and a tendency to be able to fit process to the realities of economic and game theory.

]]> By: Justin James http://sob.apotheon.org/?p=326&cpage=1#comment-261723 Justin James Sat, 01 Dec 2007 04:11:39 +0000 http://sob.apotheon.org/?p=326#comment-261723 It's nice to see IT people catching on to what a lot of social scientists have known for decades. The "wisdom of the crowds" is a book selling device and feel-good theory, but it is not reality. As you say, "the crowds" are really a collection of individuals making individual decisions. I do not recall ever hearing an evolutionary behaviorlist, game theorist, or anyone else who is knowledgeable about these topics tout this pap. It is reserved for psuedo-scientific types like Malcolm Gladwell who claim to change paradigms just because they found some anecdotes that challenge mainstream canon on the topic. Indeed, the mob mentality is a great example. If 100 different people show up to protest in from of City Hall on the same day, a riot might break out. If the same 100 people show up as individuals over the course of 100 days, they are a peaceful string of people with signs. It is amazing how the whole *can* become more (or less) than the sum of the parts, and often not in a good way. J.Ja It's nice to see IT people catching on to what a lot of social scientists have known for decades. The "wisdom of the crowds" is a book selling device and feel-good theory, but it is not reality. As you say, "the crowds" are really a collection of individuals making individual decisions. I do not recall ever hearing an evolutionary behaviorlist, game theorist, or anyone else who is knowledgeable about these topics tout this pap. It is reserved for psuedo-scientific types like Malcolm Gladwell who claim to change paradigms just because they found some anecdotes that challenge mainstream canon on the topic.

Indeed, the mob mentality is a great example. If 100 different people show up to protest in from of City Hall on the same day, a riot might break out. If the same 100 people show up as individuals over the course of 100 days, they are a peaceful string of people with signs. It is amazing how the whole can become more (or less) than the sum of the parts, and often not in a good way.

J.Ja

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