Herd mentality dominates the holiday season.

Publication: Making it Work

Publication Date: 29-NOV-04

Bookmark this article Print this article Link to this article Email this article Digg It! Add to del.icio.us RSS

COPYRIGHT 2004 Making it Work

In 1841, Charles MacKay wrote the book, "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds." Within its pages, MacKay chronicled the long list of fads, schemes, and manias that had swept through societies prior to his day.

In the preface to the 1852 edition of that famous book, MacKay observed the following:

"We find that whole communities suddenly fix their minds upon one object, and go mad in its pursuit; that millions of people become simultaneously impressed with one delusion, and run after it, till their attention is caught by some new folly more captivating than the first."

These popular...

Read the full article for free courtesy of your local library.