Crowd Quote by James Surowiecki
“Sometimes even a smart crowd will make a mistake.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Wisdom of Crowds, 2004
Even knowledgeable groups can err, especially when they share similar information or biases, leading to collective mistakes.
In simple terms: Smart groups can still make errors.
Key Takeaway
Question group consensus critically.
Themes
groupthink
bias
collective error
decision making
wisdom
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
advice
warning
When to use this quote
- board meetings
- public opinion polls
- investment committees
Key Concepts
crowd intelligence
information cascades
social influence
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you trust a crowd versus an expert?
- How can you detect shared blind spots?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on consensus can suppress dissent.
