In 1852, James Mackay wrote in "Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds" -

"Reading the history of nations, we find that, like individuals, they have their whims and their peculiarities; their seasons of excitement and recklessness, when they care not what they do. We find that whole communities suddenly fix their minds upon one object and go mad in its pursuit; that millions of people become simultaneously impressed with one delusion, and run after it, till their attention is caught by some new folly more captivating than the first".

Ring any bells 170 years later?

Ring any bells 170 years later?
ttbn,
It's right-out deafening !

It’s called herd panic..

Exit crushes at football matches are an example of its extremes.

The horror of nonconformity is another. And the straight forward nature of gutless conformity.

Dan

Three of us can hear the bells; perhaps they have to get louder yet. Perhaps people have their hands over their ears. Perhaps the real horror of what is happening is too painful to contemplate. Perhaps it's too scary to leave the herd.

Perhaps people have their hands over their ears.
ttbn,
I think it's more a case of people playing with themselves in front of their Superannuation statements !

The wonder here on presenting this subject of herd instinct, is the lack of discussion on the subject.
I think the point you make on the various parts or aspects of the herd panic that we witness, attests to the lack of confidence in leadership.

Israel is a classic litmus test to the ability to conclude on a herd direction without a unifying concept of religion as the guide.

I put it down as the evidence of the total failure of secularism to show powerful leadership when overlayed with democracy.
It is astounding to witness Israelis falling in a heap and pretending to themselves that individualism/democracy will suffice as a unifying force against a foe whose traditions have been maintained as a prerequisite for leadership.

Communism likewise is a formidable enemy of individualism/democracy, since like it or not it has a creed. .’ a set of beliefs or aims which guide someone's actions*.

Democracy is rule by vacume!

Dan.