After working for far too many years behind bars and in restaurants, I am convinced that human intelligence decreases in correlation to group size. For example, isolated or in small groups, individuals are able to utilize their full cognitive capacity (which of course differs from individual to individual) but as the group size increases, the IQ of each member of that group seems to drop off significantly.
Allow me to give you some examples:
-One person walking down the street possesses full awareness of their surrounding
-A large group walking down the street in conversation possess almost no awareness of their surroundings or other street users
The more cohesive and directed the group is, the greater the effect of this "Mob Stupefaction" (MS). Other external factors can influence this (alcohol, drugs, social graces) although their absence is often negligible
Again:
-A large group of people in the same room, in pairs or small groups, conversing, versus:
-A crowd at a gig (if you are unfamiliar with the wild flailing, aggressive young men and general obnoxious behaviour, I envy you)
You may question my choice of "gig" and observe that MS does not occur at say, the cinema or the theatre. I would counter by saying that both venues validate my point, the only disruption encountered at the cinema or theatre is from groups (forgetting ringtones) and it is worth remembering that standing at gigs offers an audience a more "expressive" opportunity than a seat.
I would love to know if my fellow Escapists feel my pain, I'll level with you...I just plain don't like the general public (or as I like to call them - cattle) and I worry it's colouring my entire worldview...
