Crowd Wisdom

Crowd Wisdom

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  • Allan Wikman
    Allan Wikman
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    To introduce this newcomer by way of allusion to crowd wisdom.
    Years ago I attended a management/behaviorial workshop given by a private consultant in Houston, Texas.

    The room was divided into many round tables of ten men and women.

    This was before video.

    The leader first passed out NCR (copy w/o carbons) forms on which we were to make notes, as and when instructed.

    First exercise was to watch the first part of a movie, one of the most fascinating I have seen. During this "introduction" whether or not we realized it, we were given sufficient clues to know a great deal about each player. At which point the moderator shut off the film and turned on the lights.

    "OK, folks," be began, "here's your assignment."

    The movie, of which many of you may be familiar, was the black and white classic, TWELVE ANGRY MEN. It's the story that takes place 99 percent in a jury room.

    "You have met the twelve jurors; you know their names, occupations, a few of their quirks, etc.

    "What we want you to do is take as much time as you wish, this is this afternoon's final exercise. We'll come back after dinner fo the windup.

    "Perhaps you, as I, were impressed with the wisdom, courage, whatever, of the jury foreman (Henry Fonda) who, upon learning that ALL 11 other jurors voted the accused murderer "guilty," calmly voted NOT GUILTY. And, we saw and heard the protests from those 11 angry men, each of whom had his own, pressing reason for wanting to get this over quickly.

    "Perhaps the shocking news is, eventually every one of those jurors comes around to voting INNOCENT. What you are to do, now, is predict the ORDER in which the 11 change their minds."



    This is a good place for me to take an intermission in this story, of which there is considerably more. You might want to do the exercise, yourself, before you hear the rest of the experiment.

    I'm confident that most DVD or VHS jackets identify the players so that all you need do is list their names and occupations and whatever else you wish (that's what we were given), watch the first part and shut it off until you've predicted the result.

    I strongly suggest you do this in a group. Have each of your cohorts, wife, husband, mother, father, biz associates do it as you do. When everyone has completed their prediction, finish the movie.

    I shall complete the scenario no later than the end of October. 2007 for you sticklers.

    Hope you enjoy.

    Allan Wikman

    PS: Sorry, but in keeping with the original rules, no questions allowed. Yet.
    • 14 Oct 2007, 08:23 am
  • Bjoern Guenzel
    Bjoern Guenzel    Group moderator
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    Re: To introduce this newcomer by way of allusion to crowd wisdom.
    Thanks for the fun exercise! At which point should the movie be switched off, though?
    • 14 Oct 2007, 10:22 am
  • Allan Wikman
    Allan Wikman
    The company name is only visible to registered members.
    Re^2: To introduce this newcomer by way of allusion to crowd wisdom.
    You'll know when.

    If you still don't feel safe, may I suggest you ask a friend to watch it, first?

    Hey, THANKS for reading...and for the contact!

    Allan
    • 14 Oct 2007, 9:22 pm