Something to think about
We often treat groupthink as a grown-up problem — corporate meetings, political rallies, online mobs. But it begins much earlier.
It starts in the playground.
Children are wired to belong. That instinct protects them. But it also makes them vulnerable — to peer pressure, bad ideas, or going along with something they don’t quite believe.
Even thoughtful kids can fall quiet in groups. Agree with things they’d usually question. Adopt views that aren’t really theirs.
It’s not a sign of weakness. It’s human nature.
And the smarter the child, the better they are at explaining away what the group already believes — not because they’re gullible, but because they’re clever.
Mark Twain put it simply:
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
That pause — that moment of mental space between instinct and imitation — is what we need to teach. To our children. And to ourselves.
Something to try
This week, notice a moment — in yourself or someone else — when an idea goes unquestioned simply because it’s popular.
Ask yourself (or your child):
Would I still believe this if no one else did?
That question is a small act of independence.
Something to read
A recent post you might enjoy:
Thinklier
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See you next Thursday.
— The Thinklier team