I certainly see how the mob mentality can be started. The blogosphere has been accused of this since I can remember. Communities have a certain amount of checks and balances associated with it.

Although I say we hang that stupid (Daddy we don't say that word) red fuzzy guy.

One only has to look at the caliber of comments left on Digg to see the 'wisdom in crowds' in action…

What is the difference between a community and a crowd? Both a groups of people. As far as I'm concerned the majority is always wrong.

Now we're getting some interesting discussion…*grin*

I don't think majorities are always wrong, because there are probably more examples of individuals being wrong than groups.

As for the difference between a community and a crowd – I think there are a number. I think good communities are NOT what I've listed in the post as being traits for crowds. Sure the line is murky between them, but I think there are differences.

You make a good point about the difference being murky. I have noted the community in the blogosphere full of different ideas and many are learning to show respect rather than ridicule when they see something opposite to the way they believe. This tends to bring civility.

On the other hand, crowds can become mobs, and mobs unfortunately get caught in emotions at times such as the lynching of African-Americans. Though we have a great community here, Robert has done well to point out that a few folks on DIGG have lost civility.

I think some communities turn into crowds and then turn into mobs eventually. Crowds are also made up a lot of anonymous people, communities typically are not.

You said it right Ben, communities tend to be more like-minded, have a common goal or presence, where a crowds are more mixed if you will. Given the right circumstances a community can certainly turn into a crowd and/or jump into a mob.

Robyn: I would say it is more than a few. Unfortunately I think it is a partial function of the target audience, being technical people (of which I am), who as a whole tend to be shall we say, strong willed and opinionated? However, if Digg had stepped in early and moderated better to let people know that kind of behavior is not tolerated, it wouldn't be where it is today. One could say that is censorship, but I would disagree. There is a difference between censorship and asking people to be civil or logical (ironic given the audience) in their comments.

I may have strong opinions but that doesn't mean that I won't listen to an opposing view. A crowd or mob doesn't care what the opposing view is.

Hey, who instigated this discussion anyway? 🙂

Robert, I have enjoyed contests of late, where bloggers set down rules. DIGG needed similar rules initially, as you say, so folks knew ahead what they could and could not do. Passion is fine when folks tame it with some reason. 🙂

Ben, I had to think of the small community where I grew up. There were some real characters that folks treated with civility. We learn to accept many folks in community as long as they don't act out!

Hmm an interesting debate to be found at my first visit! I think I'm going to like calling in here.
And Ben it's so true that crowds can be manipulated!

Well, here's the problem. People like company, and don't like to be alone. But two's company, three's a crowd, etc. are “proverbs” because they are true. We relate better to each other in small groups, but as the groups enlarge, it's harder to get genuine reaction versus “piling on” where people become less individualistic and more concerned with fitting in to perceived expectations.
If communities are too small, they become insular and inbred- you are only preaching to the converted. If they are reaching outside, more people can join, but not everyone knows the culture and etiquette of the space.
There was a great story about WL Gore, of Gore-tex fame, a local company from my neck of the woods. After any one office site grows beyond a certain size, they get a new one, like mushrooms.
Why? Because they believe in the power of small, and that more actually gets accomplished when everyone knows each other. Yes, this means things can be a little “Peyton Place-y” from time to time, but this creates a sense of group responsibility for success and failure.
Crowds are ameobas- unorganized cells that can easily be split off into something totally new and different (and often ugly) but you put a little structure to the crowd, and you have something with alot of potential.

Chris – glad to have you onboard…stick around!

Whitney – thanks for the great story. I think I should re-title this post, “Wisdom of Whitney.”

I can get a little preachy, so I apologize for that, but again, we can “hang together or hang separately”- we can do better together, but you just have to have parameters on why you are together, and keep everyone working towards similar goals.

Whitney – I didn't think of it as preachy at all. You hit the nail on the proverbial community head. Nice job.

So are we going to hang the little red guy or what?

I don't know Jim, seems harsh. What frustrates me the most about Elmo is how he speaks in the 3rd person all the time, referencing himself…

Elmo says, “Elmo went to a party last night. Elmo thought it was fun.”

It's creepy.

(And I know this information because I read Elmo books to my son.)