Critical Mass

Our fun little Sunday swim group is no more.

Well, it is and it isn't.

So many people have been showing up that a tipping point has been reached where the group behaves differently. I am fascinated watching a "mob mentality" develop.

When it was a small group, we would regroup from time to time and keep tabs on each other. The group would reach a consensus, then act as a cohesive unit.

With the larger size, the group behaves spontaneously, surging from place to place. It is no longer a group, but instead many individuals following first one person, then another. Anyone who wanders away from the "school" is now left on their own.

Absolutely fascinating! (to me, anyway)