The Spiral of Silence

[grymhild]

Does this apply to our server?

The Spiral of Silence

The Spiral of Silence Theory is a political science and mass communication theory proposed by the German political scientist Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, which stipulates that individuals have a fear of isolation, which results from the idea that a social group or the society in general might isolate, neglect, or exclude members due to the members' opinions. This fear of isolation consequently leads to remaining silent instead of voicing opinions. Media is an important factor that relates to both the dominant idea and people's perception of the dominant idea. The assessment of one's social environment may not always correlate with reality.

* * *

The theory explains a vocal minority (the complement of the silent majority) by stating that people who are highly educated, or who have greater affluence, and the few other cavalier individuals who do not fear isolation, are likely to speak out regardless of public opinion. It further states that this minority is a necessary factor of change while the compliant majority is a necessary factor of stability, with both being a product of evolution. There is a vocal minority, which remains at the top of the spiral in defiance of threats of isolation.

This theory calls these vocal minorities the hardcore nonconformist or the avant-garde. Hardcore nonconformists are "people who have already been rejected for their beliefs and have nothing to lose by speaking out." The hardcore has the ability to reconfigure majority opinion. While the avant-garde are "the intellectuals, artists, and reformers in the isolated minority who speak out because they are convinced they are ahead of the times."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abilene_paradox

In an Abilene paradox a group of people collectively decide on a course of action that is counter to the preferences of many (or all) of the individuals in the group. It involves a common breakdown of group communication in which each member mistakenly believes that their own preferences are counter to the group's and, therefore, does not raise objections. A common phrase relating to the Abilene Paradox is a desire not to "rock the boat." This differs from groupthink in that the Abilene paradox is characterized by an inability to manage agreemen

[Young Werther]

I think many people are actually emboldened by the anonymity and real-life disconnect of the internet to where this doesn't apply to our server, no. My opinion.

[Maecius]

I expect it applies everywhere to some extent, Grymhild. That is, that a vocal minority frequently speaks on behalf of (and not always in agreement with) a less-engaged majority.

In a virtual environment like ours, I expect it has more to do with apathy than fear, though. Many of our players largely ignore the forums until they need to reference a rule or ask for some help.

Not that I blame them. It's already 22:30 local time, and I haven't even had dinner yet because I've been replying to forum posts like this one.

[Boddynock]

Well if you ascribe to the theory, then yes, as it would apply to any community...

But I don't think it holds true as an explanation for why things are the way they are. Some aspects of it are largely correct, mostly observations on social interaction, but the reasoning given, and therefore the purpose of the theorum itself, doesn't hold much merit to my eyes.

For example, most people who know me, or have even been in a thread I was following, know I am not afraid to speak my mind. The idea that I do so because I have nothing to lose is false, the implication that I am already alienated in some way is also false. In fact, my most recent shenanigans have resulted in people encouraging me to apply for a DM position, and the forum rules being edited to be more clear. Large groups of people often form what are knows as cliques, but I think the explanation is just that people tend to stick around people they get along with. And as for the "vocal minority" having nothing to lose...ehh, I think that some people just aren't afraid of confrontation, and some are.

As for the paradox, well yes. Of course instances of that occur. How often is another question, and I think it is probably pretty rare. More common would be straight instances of favoritism or corruption, and I think those are pretty rare on our server too, so the idea that the DMs make a decision no one wants based on the idea that they think everyone wants it doesn't hold much merit. Although it may have happened on occasion, though doubtfully on a large, server wide, scale.

[Akroma666]

Not that I blame them. It's already 22:30 local time, and I haven't even had dinner yet because I've been replying to forum posts like this one.

You need to get your priorities straight.. maybe this will help...



Off topic.. Sorrynotsorry.. food is king

[Passiflora]

I think you guys think too much. Just get ingame and play, dammit.

[Boddynock]

I think you guys think too much. Just get ingame and play, d****t.

Yo dawg, no profanity in OOC posts.

[DM Pun Pun]

I think many people are actually emboldened by the anonymity and real-life disconnect of the internet to where this doesn't apply to our server, no. My opinion.

I would agree here. Anonymity is the great enabler.

[TheLier]

I dunno, I never felt opressed for stating what I think, and I never felt that it may make me unwanted.

That is just my limited ~half a year experience.

[Maximvs]

It applies to the whole world, mate.

[DM Echo]

Hidden: show

Not that I blame them. It's already 22:30 local time, and I haven't even had dinner yet because I've been replying to forum posts like this one.

You need to get your priorities straight.. maybe this will help...



Off topic.. Sorrynotsorry.. food is king

.... *runs to the kitchen tripping down the stairs on the way and breaks her neck* .. Jerk

Yes, to a lesser degree though on the forums. On the server I believe what you state is true to a greater degree than on the forums but also to a lesser degree than real life..

IRL you can't edit your words or take time deciding exactly how you want to say something.. You'll look pretty stupid standing there spending a couple seconds deciding exactly how to word the next sentence you intend to speak.. In game, you also can't edit but you do get a bit more time than IRL to decide exactly, but still less time than on the forums.. And on the forums you have the option of not responding to a post on a particular topic, even if directed at you, but you can still give your opinion on the post as a whole. This means you won't necessarily ever feel cornered into commenting on something you do not feel adequately informed on. In game, the same can not be said.. If you speak to people, and they speak back, you are expected to respond, and quickly enough that they don't lose interest or think you are an idiot...

"Silence is the virtue of those who are not wise
Silence is wisdom and gets a man friends
Silence is wisdom when speaking is folly"