Luke Bryant

5757 Eagle Drive

Milton, FL 32570

March 26, 2024

Dear Internet,

The collective intelligence that has become synonymous with YouTube, Instagram, and

similar websites in recent years has undoubtably transformed the manner in which we acquire

information. Individual opinions and news can be shared and accessed like never before.

However, what began as a beacon of individual freedom has become increasingly dominated by

herd mentality. James Surowieki discusses beneficial nature and potential danger of online

crowds regarding the blogosphere. Nearly twenty years later, I would argue that his warnings are

more relevant today than ever before. Surowieki argued that though blogs allowed for

independent reporting, proving more varied and in-depth information on various subjects, close

networking between them inherently hampered individualism amongst writers. This problem has

become further exasperated in the modern age, as false information can easily be published by

numerous outlets, spreading like wildfire as everyone hops onto the same bandwagon.

This is not to say that an interconnected web of information is doomed to fall subject to

herd mentality, or that individualism is king above all else. A balanced mixture of both can be a

remarkably powerful force for truth. But to achieve such a balance, we must all carefully

consider what information we take in and put out. The common maxim, “Don’t believe

everything you read.” holds true for the internet just as much as it does in every other aspect of

life. Falsehoods, whether perpetuated intentionally or out of earnest intentions, can be found just
as easily as factual information. Everyone has at some point witnessed a rumor become truth in

the eyes of many. Only for reality to catch up far too late. Misinformation has the power to

crumble careers. In the worst of cases it can even kill. Surowieki remarks on how ants provide an

excellent parallel to the internet. At their best, working as a collective allows them to achieve

what would be impossible for any single individual to accomplish. But if they become lost,

uncertain in what to do next, they will simply mimic the actions of the ant in front of them. This

can lead to them forming circles that go on and on until, eventually, every ant dies. The internet

is far from foreign ground to the circulation of factually incorrect information. We cannot allow

ourselves to forget that, regardless or were information is attained from.

During the age when blogs were more common, most of the individuals behind them

were unpaid, creating post primarily out of a simple desire to do so. Today, many producing

content on social media, often referred to as influencers, use these platforms as a primary source

of income. The need for clicks may outweigh the desire to spread accurate information for some.

Influencers may twist facts for the sake of shock value in order to gain more attention. And once

a particular train of unchecked facts gains momentum, more are likely to join in while asking far

too few questions. When truth inevitably makes its way to the forefront, trust can regarding these

content creators can be fractured. People withdraw and isolate. And the network is killed off by

skepticism and feelings of betrayal. But we do not have to contribute to such cycles of

misinformation imploding on itself. If we take care to question the information presented to us,

and seek to spread truth rather than falling in with the herd, we can foster an interconnected

environment that takes full advantage of the information age we find ourselves living in. United

as individuals, we can change the world.

Sincerely,

Luke Bryant

Citation if needed:

Surowiecki, James. “The Power and the Danger of Online Crowds.” James Surowiecki:

The Power and the Danger of Online Crowds | TED Talk, Ted.com, Feb. 2005,

www.ted.com/talks/james_surowiecki_the_power_and_the_danger_of_online_crowds?

language=ig.