Hive Mind
Jul 30, 2024
Have you heard the term sheeple? I always laugh when I hear it. I like to think of myself as a lion, not a sheep, and I do resonate with the term sheeple as a general term that is becoming more accurate when describing the greater whole of society. If the 2020 world events taught me anything, it was how many people didn't know how to think for themselves. Nothing alarmed me more than witnessing everyone blindly follow the others… not taking a single moment to seek out their own information or research to validate what was going on. Had more people done this, we may not have taken the fork in the road towards the new world we are walking into.
In more polite terms, herds of people not thinking for themselves are known as hive mind. Hive Mind is an advanced term for groupthink or group mind.
Hive Mind: Much like echo chambers in our online spaces - this same phenomenon can happen on a larger scale in the ‘physical world,’ This is known as Hive Mind.
Hive Mind: a collective consciousness analogous to the behavior of social insects.
Hive mind is a term in sociality used to describe ‘the concept of many minds together acting in concert.’ However, on a deeper level, it is the initiation stage of what is called ‘networked intelligence.’ Sounds a bit scary doesn't it? It should because it is. The concept of networked intelligence is the world we are moving towards. Are we there yet?
Definitely not.
And it is possible, and I would bet it is coming. You have probably seen Hive Mind demonstrated in sci-fi movies where suddenly everyone is controlled and doing one thing or acting out one agenda - this is the correct concept however it doesn't have to be where you are taking over - it very much could end up being more like how the mycelium networks underground connect every single plant and tree and sends and receives data between all… As our brains with products such as neuro link, neural lace, and other brain implants that transmit, send, receive, download, and upload data we are entering stage one of the realization of a networked intelligence - hive mind - for now the brain implants are individual - however how long do you think it will be until they start connecting all the implants?
Critical Thinking: The value of being a critical thinker:
We must critically think - group thinking won't work in the long run.
Do you know what a lemming is? Lemmings are this kinda cute animal that are the main characters of a myth - “In popular culture, a longstanding myth holds that they exhibit herd mentality and jump off cliffs, committing mass suicide.” (Interesting side note - Google Apple’s commercial ‘Lemmings’.)
Groupthink and herd mentality are extremely dangerous. Follow the leader is not a good game to play when your life is on the line or, in general, when operating in your day-to-day life.
Transform does not Conform
“Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2 NIV).
Rejecting the hive mind mentality goes beyond asserting individuality; it's crucial for protecting our future and maintaining the depth of human thought and experience. In this highly interconnected era, distinguishing between collective consciousness and individual insight becomes increasingly challenging. Recognizing the importance of questioning, exploring, and independently seeking truth is essential. Let us stand as lions among sheep, daring to think differently, challenge the prevailing norms, and forge our unique routes. By valuing diverse perspectives and critical inquiry, we can counter the hive mind's influence and foster a world rich in innovation, creativity, and real progress.
Moving forward, let's dedicate ourselves to continual learning and reflection, leading lives characterized by deliberate choices and intentional actions.
