Author's Note: Since I first posted the article below a new scientific study was published to explain how this phenomenon operates. As I have suggested below, some mechanism similar to this might underlie the "tipping point" phenomenon we see in the sudden formation of social consensus and group awareness. I sadly lack the scientific skills to prove such a dynamic exists, but the spooky synchronicity that appears to happen spontaneously in clocks might hold a clue to understanding social trends and public awareness.
How do social problems that have exist for generations suddenly become urgent public matters subject to broad civil debate? How does public consensus suddenly coalesce around an issue that has been clouded by uncertainty for years (such as gay marriage for a recent example). No one really understands how what amounts to ambient noise in public discourse suddenly form into popular topics of public debate, or how diverse and unfocused opinions suddenly merge into a consensus.
Books like The Tipping Point, or The Wisdom of Crowds speak to the mysterious phenomenon of collective perception but don't really explain how public consciousness works When I saw this video demonstration I understood for the first time, if only in an abstract way, the mystery of the 99 monkeys, otherwise known as the 100th monkey effect where a new behavior or idea spread rapidly by unexplained means from one group to all related groups once a critical number of members of the one adopts it.
Of course the 100 monkey effect has'n been empirically confirmed, but it serves as a parable highlighting a real social phenomenon, our collective cognition. Watch this video and see if it suggests an answer as to how public consensus might appear to spontaneously form.
Watch 32 discordant metronomes achieve synchrony in a matter of minutes
If you place 32 metronomes on a static object and set them rocking out of phase with one another, they will remain that way indefinitely. Place them on a moveable surface, however, and something very interesting (and very mesmerizing) happens.
The metronomes in this video fall into the latter camp. Energy from the motion of one ticking metronome can affect the motion of every metronome around it, while the motion of every other metronome affects the motion of our original metronome right back. All this inter-metranome "communication" is facilitated by the board, which serves as an energetic intermediary between all the metronomes that rest upon its surface. The metronomes in this video (which are really just pendulums, or, if you want to get really technical, oscillators) are said to be "coupled."
The math and physics surrounding coupled oscillators are actually relevant to a variety of scientific phenomena, including the transfer of sound and thermal conductivity. For a much more detailed explanation of how this works, and how to try it for yourself,check out this excellent video by condensed matter physicist Adam Milcovich.
While the math and physics of coupled oscillators may be relevant to other aspects of physics, is it possible that it is relevant to some social phenomenon as well?
To help us see what's going on, imagine the metronomes are sitting on a pool of water. With each tic the device sends a small wave traveling in the opposite direction. In the beginning, the water's surface would appear chaotic as the metronomes are all out of sync. Over time some waves will start to cancel out others while some waves will reinforce (or amplify) others. The reinforced waves impart subtle resistance forces on the out-of-sync metronomes gradually stretching the swing in one direction and shortening it in the other until all the pendulums are in sync with the ever strengthening wave patterns beneath them. It is this interaction of forces between the metronomes and the movable surface on which they sit that is referred to above as "inter-metronome communication."
I suggest that all human communications and actions are similarly played out on a movable social fabric capable of transmitting social forces that resist or reinforce an individuals cognitive perceptions. We are all influence by hidden messages and perhaps precognitive social forces all around us. These forces nudge us in certain direction that eventually influence our attitudes and feelings, or out thinking regarding a social problem.
To illustrate, there is an old joke about a British mother watching a large military parade and upon seeing her son marching declared, "Look at that? Everyone is out of step but my Aire!"
Now imagine that Aire is highly regarded among his peers, so much so that they feel badly for him. Some of his friends might decide to provide cover for Aire by adopting his step. Other colleagues near by might see this a funny and join in while still others might become confused, thinking they are out of step. At some point Aire's stride and the impact on those around him could become self-reinforcing, particularly in his units formation. Soon others begin falling into step adjusting their stride thus strengthening the pattern until a "tipping point" is reach and the rest of the marchers fall in step with Aire. Suddenly that British mother is proven correct!
To help us see what's going on, imagine the metronomes are sitting on a pool of water. With each tic the device sends a small wave traveling in the opposite direction. In the beginning, the water's surface would appear chaotic as the metronomes are all out of sync. Over time some waves will start to cancel out others while some waves will reinforce (or amplify) others. The reinforced waves impart subtle resistance forces on the out-of-sync metronomes gradually stretching the swing in one direction and shortening it in the other until all the pendulums are in sync with the ever strengthening wave patterns beneath them. It is this interaction of forces between the metronomes and the movable surface on which they sit that is referred to above as "inter-metronome communication."
I suggest that all human communications and actions are similarly played out on a movable social fabric capable of transmitting social forces that resist or reinforce an individuals cognitive perceptions. We are all influence by hidden messages and perhaps precognitive social forces all around us. These forces nudge us in certain direction that eventually influence our attitudes and feelings, or out thinking regarding a social problem.
To illustrate, there is an old joke about a British mother watching a large military parade and upon seeing her son marching declared, "Look at that? Everyone is out of step but my Aire!"
Now imagine that Aire is highly regarded among his peers, so much so that they feel badly for him. Some of his friends might decide to provide cover for Aire by adopting his step. Other colleagues near by might see this a funny and join in while still others might become confused, thinking they are out of step. At some point Aire's stride and the impact on those around him could become self-reinforcing, particularly in his units formation. Soon others begin falling into step adjusting their stride thus strengthening the pattern until a "tipping point" is reach and the rest of the marchers fall in step with Aire. Suddenly that British mother is proven correct!
This is only an analogy, but it is worth considering. I suspect that the physics behind coupled oscillators may point the way to actual solutions to certain unexplained social phenomenon that has perplexed social researchers for years.
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