When trying to solve complex problems, a diverse network of skilled people tends to outperform even the most extraordinary individuals.
Having said this, coordination matters. Networks of people can get derailed, just like individuals, although for slightly different reasons. Whereas individuals have personal biases that lead to blind spots, networks of people can be brainwashed to the extent that they also have harmful biases.
The diversity of a network is what makes it innovative; therefore, the traits that make each person in a network unique must be celebrated. When every member of a network gives the same response to a specific challenge, the network ceases to be more useful than a single individual.
Let’s consider a few examples.
- The Mob Effect
A network of people can be manipulated to cause harm. In most cases, causing harm is not a reasonable response to a perceived injustice. It’s interesting that a group of people can act in ways that none of the individual members would. Often, groups of people are not held accountable to the same degree as individuals, especially when individuals act in a way that is contrary to the group norms. For this reason, individuals must be careful in choosing which groups they join and how active they become in any specific group. - The Bandwagon Effect
A network of people can amplify some ideas and actions while suppressing others. This can be beneficial when actions that strengthen the mission and culture of a group are amplified. It can be less healthy when gossip and negativity are allowed to fester within a group. The effect is minimized by having a diverse network where diversity is celebrated. - The Wisdom of Crowds Effect
A network of people can manage to find and implement the best ideas available. Sometimes, some groups can work wonders. Galaxy Zoo is an example of how everyday citizens can help make spectacular discoveries in our understanding of the universe. GitHub is a technical solution that helps software groups to effectively coordinate their work. Other examples abound.
I haven’t discussed the dynamics of how individuals interact in groups. Perhaps this could be a topic for another blog post.
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