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Divided Quote by Terry Pratchett

“The IQ of a mob is the IQ of its dumbest member divided by the number of mobsters.” quote by Terry Pratchett
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“The IQ of a mob is the IQ of its dumbest member divided by the number of mobsters.”

Terry Pratchett

About This Quote

Source Novel: Discworld – Thud!, 2005

A mob’s intelligence is the average of its least intelligent member divided by its size.

In simple terms: Mob intelligence drops with more members.

Key Takeaway

Beware groupthink and dilution of expertise.

Themes

social dynamics intelligence group behavior

Mood

humorous insightful

Type

social critical

When to use this quote

  • team projects
  • online forums
  • political movements
  • corporate boards

Key Concepts

collective decision‑making wisdom of crowds leadership

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you ensure quality in large teams?
  • What mechanisms prevent dilution of expertise?
A Different Perspective

Large groups can also pool diverse strengths.

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