The findings from this new study "reveals the downside of our hyperconnected lives," writes Jonah Lehrer. Social media, he says, may be facilitating "new forms of collective action," but it has also enabled new kinds of collective stupidity. Groupthink is now more widespread, as we cope with the excess of available information by outsourcing our beliefs to celebrities, pundits and Facebook friends. Instead of thinking for ourselves, we simply cite what's already been cited. Er, this notion is just stupid, says John Hawkes, who's not impressed with the echo chamber = groupthink meme now making the rounds.
