Are we influenced by the opinion of the many? or by the popular?

Question

I've noticed alot that for example, if someone who is relatively known either in magazines or just in your own circle says 'that dude/that thing/that place sucks badly' people tend to agree, even if something isn't as bad as it's presented, i've seen even online that people will flame something/someone for no reason of their own.

Are we mindless?

For instance, i saw this question about emo, he was asking what exactly it was, majority answered negatively and was almost cursing them.

I know there is a general opinion that they are suicidal, but i've seen alot of emo teenagers and adults, videos from when they go out, and for me, i see they have a lot of fun,

they are laughing and jumping around like any person who would go out for a great time. Nothing suicidal in that.

That is just an example.

What infulences us that much that we beging to grow a hatred for something we do not know?

Answer 1

People generally go with the flow.. YES, the human race are basically mindless as a mass - people are often easily influenced and that is exactly why advertising companies make as much money as they do.

As for your EMO example.. emo's are supposed to be "emotionals"  they are labelled so because they have grouped themselves as a people who take a negative stance on the world and subsequently are often blue so to speak.  Now with that comes a whole getup..  they dress a certain way, they have specific haircuts that other's think looks cool, the "others'  don't necessarily agree with their principles but they join them cause they simply like the look that they portray.  So yeah, they are having fun cause all they are doing is dressing the part and couldn't give a s hit about the morals behind the getup.  SHEEP!!!!

Answer 2

The heroes in society are those who trust in their own judgment. History talks of all sorts of scholars/geniuses who were never honored in their time yet without whom we would still exist in the dark ages. Being different is challenging and hard work (due to opposition) so I guess most of us would rather someone else did all the hard work but only when it suits us and guarantees we will not be called upon to do or change anything. Most love to reap where they have not sown and going with the flow ensures popularity by association.

Answer 3

Humans aren't mindless, it's just that we've been socialized to "follow the crowd". It's just that people often seek other's approval and the easiest way to get this is to outwardly agree with them, even if they don't really think the other person is correct.

Check out the source link about Milgram experiments. It's really interesting. Basically, it shows how people are also incredibly obedient and follow directions. "A subject who has neither ability nor expertise to make decisions, especially in a crisis, will leave decision making to the group and its hierarchy".

Maybe the crisis is social acceptance.