The hidden danger of collective illusions in community building and how to solve for them
Exploring the dangers of collective illusions in community building
I went down a YouTube rabbit hole a couple of weeks ago and came across this concept called Collective Illusion. According to Big Thing, a collective illusion is a situation where most people in a group go along with an idea that they don't agree with, simply because they incorrectly believe that most people in the group agree with it. 1
Having been fascinated with this concept, I started thinking about how this can apply to the world of community building. Particularly how collective illusion can be both a powerful force for togetherness, but also a potential pitfall. Shared beliefs and visions can unite members with a sense of purpose and belonging. However, when unchecked, collective illusions can lead to tunnel vision, exclusion, and even the suppression of diverse perspectives.
Diving into this more, I explore the dangers of collective …
