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How Narratives Override The Mind & Why "Truth" Is So Elusive In the Information AgeA thread dive into crypto group psychology:
- Open Access to Noise Distractions
- The Power & Legacy of Jesus' Story
- Subjective Perspectives vs Absolute Truth
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Crypto communities provide an interesting look into group-think, behavioral psychology, and crowd "intelligence" (or lack thereof sometimes).
We're all susceptible to both the pros, and cons, of what occurs when people band together under perceived identities.
We're all susceptible to both the pros, and cons, of what occurs when people band together under perceived identities.
“Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, one by one.”
In 1841, Charles MacKay's wrote "Extraordinary Delusions & The Madness of Crowds". https://www.amazon.com/Extraordinary-Popular-Delusions-Madness-Crowds/dp/1463740514
In 1841, Charles MacKay's wrote "Extraordinary Delusions & The Madness of Crowds". https://www.amazon.com/Extraordinary-Popular-Delusions-Madness-Crowds/dp/1463740514
This seminal piece explained why individuals give up their sense of self, and rationality, once they find others to identify with.
As a result, a culture builds around the strongest narrative that arises from the group.
This is why stories and narratives are so powerful.
As a result, a culture builds around the strongest narrative that arises from the group.
This is why stories and narratives are so powerful.
Granted, groups can also form collective *intelligence*. https://qz.com/960175/cognitive-science-shows-that-humans-are-smarter-as-a-group-than-they-are-on-their-own, if the conditions are positive and constructive.
Otherwise, they can deteriorate into toxicity.
But we live in an Age where information can be available for everyone at the swipe of a finger.
Otherwise, they can deteriorate into toxicity.
But we live in an Age where information can be available for everyone at the swipe of a finger.
In 1999, Eric S. Raymond released the following:
https://www.amazon.com/Cathedral-Bazaar-Musings-Accidental-Revolutionary/dp/0596001088
He outlined the shift from "free software" to "open source" and compared it to the hierarchy of centralized "Cathedral" power, to the decentralization of a bazaar.
It was an accidental revolution.
https://www.amazon.com/Cathedral-Bazaar-Musings-Accidental-Revolutionary/dp/0596001088
He outlined the shift from "free software" to "open source" and compared it to the hierarchy of centralized "Cathedral" power, to the decentralization of a bazaar.
It was an accidental revolution.
Richard M. Stallman was a programmer responsible for the start of the movement in the 1980s.
Previously, things had been limited to private corporate decision-making, but he saw greater effectiveness in being more public, more open. https://www.britannica.com/topic/open-source
Previously, things had been limited to private corporate decision-making, but he saw greater effectiveness in being more public, more open. https://www.britannica.com/topic/open-source
You can see how this sort of culture has permeated hacker culture over the decades. And why @linuxfoundation has such a strong community following.
So where's the issue?
The issue lies now in how open systems can be used for nefarious means, or even against itself.
The open-source movement, being more about principles than tech, makes it easier for people to adopt.
In the crypto world, esp. #Bitcoin
, it is tech.
The issue lies now in how open systems can be used for nefarious means, or even against itself.
The open-source movement, being more about principles than tech, makes it easier for people to adopt.
In the crypto world, esp. #Bitcoin
, it is tech.
In the case of Stallman & Raymond, there were very clear individuals who could help steer and clarify the direction of the movements.
This enabled clear directives.
For #Bitcoin, there was a pseudonymous creator + a 10-Commendments-like doc known as the Satoshi Whitepaper.
This enabled clear directives.
For #Bitcoin
, there was a pseudonymous creator + a 10-Commendments-like doc known as the Satoshi Whitepaper.
Due to the "openness" and "vagueness" of this pseudonymous author, things started out humbly but has morphed into something worthy of a blockbuster movie.
Open collaboration resulted in commandeering of people's base fears & adjusting narratives based on interpretations.
Open collaboration resulted in commandeering of people's base fears & adjusting narratives based on interpretations.
Because no definitive figure was around long enough to help keep things "on track", the rest has become history.
This is the irony of "open". In order to have strong open systems, they need to start with strong "closed" foundations.
In #CommunityManagement, close then release.
This is the irony of "open". In order to have strong open systems, they need to start with strong "closed" foundations.
In #CommunityManagement, close then release.
You keep things closed, then open up over time. This ensures firm foundations so that others can build on top without worry of everything crumbling down the line.
Think of our Earth. If it were not "stable" (debatable now of course with #ClimateChange), people would not build.
Think of our Earth. If it were not "stable" (debatable now of course with #ClimateChange), people would not build.
A great example is @Facebook. It started in closed beta for Ivy League schools. Then opened up to others.
Another more recent example is @joinClubhouse, an invite-only audio platform, which is now valued at $1b. https://www.theinformation.com/articles/clubhouse-gets-investment-interest-at-1-billion-valuation. And it isn't even generating revenue yet.
Another more recent example is @joinClubhouse, an invite-only audio platform, which is now valued at $1b. https://www.theinformation.com/articles/clubhouse-gets-investment-interest-at-1-billion-valuation. And it isn't even generating revenue yet.
Most people like the idea of open, but they relish the comfort and intimacy of closed, intimate groups.
This is something I learned in the #cmgr world. Social media platforms, who were once about "open networks," are now learning an inconvenient truth. https://invoker.medium.com/are-closed-and-secret-facebook-groups-the-future-of-social-media-25870c0ceeb1
This is something I learned in the #cmgr world. Social media platforms, who were once about "open networks," are now learning an inconvenient truth. https://invoker.medium.com/are-closed-and-secret-facebook-groups-the-future-of-social-media-25870c0ceeb1
Which explains why you are now seeing a battle between those who wish to remain "free" and open, with larger platforms learning that people (in action) actually want closed, more intimate groups.
Safety.
The solution, and truth, lies somewhere in the middle.
Safety.
The solution, and truth, lies somewhere in the middle.
16/- This now brings us to how "open access" has led to what I call "noise distortion."
How do you handle "truth" in an era where everyone has access to everything at any moment?
If "facts" are all there, how can "bad actors" get around it?
Flood distribution with "noise."
How do you handle "truth" in an era where everyone has access to everything at any moment?
If "facts" are all there, how can "bad actors" get around it?
Flood distribution with "noise."
17/- this is another inconvenient perspective I discovered while exploring "truth", groups, and accountability.
You saw this with Trump tactics.
Flood people with "noise", question authorities, and people then start to question everything.
Facts now mean little.
You saw this with Trump tactics.
Flood people with "noise", question authorities, and people then start to question everything.
Facts now mean little.
Even in courts of law, we know that facts can actually be manipulated to suit a NARRATIVE.
Stories are always controlling our perceptions. Even our own inner stories around how we see the world. What we believe.
It connects to the "third eye."
Stories are always controlling our perceptions. Even our own inner stories around how we see the world. What we believe.
It connects to the "third eye."
19/- So, with noise distortion, we now have a way to manipulate the "truth". Manipulate group narratives to a point where, even if evidence is presented, the clouded "third eye" will only see what it wants to see.
Its eye filtered only to look at what agrees with it.
Its eye filtered only to look at what agrees with it.
20/- This is how you go from a noble "open" movement, to the desire for humans to become more exclusive, private, and "intimate."
This is the irony of some crypto groups.
Money and power, which are powerful motivators, is intertwined into the story of #Bitcoin. Open until not.
This is the irony of some crypto groups.
Money and power, which are powerful motivators, is intertwined into the story of #Bitcoin
. Open until not.
21/- once money enters the picture, average people's behaviors change.
More "skin" is in the game, therefore, more returns are expected. More investments have been made.
"Untold riches" is a narrative as old as time itself, which is why it holds so strong for many.
More "skin" is in the game, therefore, more returns are expected. More investments have been made.
"Untold riches" is a narrative as old as time itself, which is why it holds so strong for many.
22/- so if you've ever wondered why the #Bitcoin #BTC world holds so much drama, it's most likely due to the narrative of "digital gold", "price go up", and "get rich quick."
So the only way to disrupt such a narrative is through pattern interrupts https://www.forbes.com/sites/patriciaduchene/2020/07/17/the-science-behind-pattern-interrupt/.
#BTC world holds so much drama, it's most likely due to the narrative of "digital gold", "price go up", and "get rich quick."So the only way to disrupt such a narrative is through pattern interrupts https://www.forbes.com/sites/patriciaduchene/2020/07/17/the-science-behind-pattern-interrupt/.
23/- stayed tuned for the next section, where we dive into pattern interrupts, the legacy of the story of Jesus Christ, and how that correlates to #Bitcoin communities today.
The power of stories and narratives on people's minds, and the unconscious bias it forms...
communities today. The power of stories and narratives on people's minds, and the unconscious bias it forms...
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