Russ Housley wrote:
In summary, email discussion has less tendency toward "group think" than
face-to-face gatherings.
Interesting. I hadn't connected with that term, for this, but it's really
quite
apt.
The Wikipedia article on the term, at:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink>
is useful for considering working group processes that lead to bad
decision-making.
Notably:
Symptoms of groupthink
In order to make groupthink testable, Irving Janis devised eight symptoms
that are indicative of groupthink (1977).
1. Illusions of invulnerability creating excessive optimism and encouraging
risk taking.
2. Rationalising warnings that might challenge the group's assumptions.
3. Unquestioned belief in the morality of the group, causing members to
ignore the consequences of their actions.
4. Stereotyping those who are opposed to the group as weak, evil, disfigured,
impotent, or stupid.
5. Direct pressure to conform placed on any member who questions the group,
couched in terms of "disloyalty".
6. Self censorship of ideas that deviate from the apparent group consensus.
7. Illusions of unanimity among group members, silence is viewed as
agreement.
8. Mindguards — self-appointed members who shield the group from dissenting
information.
Would that email discussion were enough to guard against these weaknesses.
d/
--
Dave Crocker
Brandenburg InternetWorking
bbiw.net
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