Living in the herd can be advantageous, whether the term is applied to animals or whether the subject under discussion is humans. There are benefits to this sort of social grouping, but consequences as well. This kind of collective behavior is practiced by many of the species that inhabit Planet Earth.
The term 'herding' is used mainly for wild or domestic animals that graze and form part of the food chain. Antelope, reindeer, zebras, and elephants are some familiar animals that come together for mutual protection and species regeneration. In these wild animal populations, a solitary individual is rare, and a recluse is often an old or infirm individual. Domestic cattle are herded by their owners.
Predators also band together, but they make up a 'pack'. Birds congregate in 'flocks' (a term also often used for sheep), while fish travel in 'schools' and whales in 'pods'. However, the behavior patterns are similar, a learned participation that offers similar advantages. Some insects, in contrast, are controlled by hormones (pheromones) and are under compulsion rather than choice. Of course, we must remember the lemmings; they probably are periodically controlled by hormones, too, when they jump into the sea.
Being part of a herd offers protection for each individual, since one member is often isolated as prey and all the rest take the opportunity to escape. Of course, the entire herd is easily tracked and sighted, which increases the danger, but the risk is much less than for a solitary animal. There is also greater safety in numbers for animals which have strong defenses, such as elephants. Only very strong bull elephants roam alone.
People come together for the same reasons. There is safety in numbers. Think of how creepy it is to walk alone on a dark street and how comfortable you are with your friends in the same area. Popular kids always travel in pairs if not whole cliques, while misfits walk alone, easy prey for bullies. Bullies usually have a pack - like other predators - for they are often cowards at heart and fearful of being alone.
Herd behavior in humans carries risk that other species don't encounter. People who follow - like sheep - often believe what the current wisdom prescribes whether their common sense can justify it or not. Macro-evolution comes to mind. How many of us believed what we were taught about species development until geology and micro-biology raised serious doubts about Darwinism? Global warming is another subject where many ignore the controversy and blindly accept the political propaganda. There is probably merit in all views, but many people don't even know the questions are there.
People who would never break serious laws may do so when in a mob - an example of an unruly herd. Lynching someone without a trial, throwing bricks through windows, smearing racial graffiti on buildings, and looting stores are all examples of what mob mentality can cause otherwise sane and law-abiding people to do. It is a strong-minded individual in this sort of scenario who often restores order and sanity.
Living in the herd may be the smartest thing you can do. Just be sure to take the time to think about it. You may find that striking out on your own is better in your particular occasion.
The term 'herding' is used mainly for wild or domestic animals that graze and form part of the food chain. Antelope, reindeer, zebras, and elephants are some familiar animals that come together for mutual protection and species regeneration. In these wild animal populations, a solitary individual is rare, and a recluse is often an old or infirm individual. Domestic cattle are herded by their owners.
Predators also band together, but they make up a 'pack'. Birds congregate in 'flocks' (a term also often used for sheep), while fish travel in 'schools' and whales in 'pods'. However, the behavior patterns are similar, a learned participation that offers similar advantages. Some insects, in contrast, are controlled by hormones (pheromones) and are under compulsion rather than choice. Of course, we must remember the lemmings; they probably are periodically controlled by hormones, too, when they jump into the sea.
Being part of a herd offers protection for each individual, since one member is often isolated as prey and all the rest take the opportunity to escape. Of course, the entire herd is easily tracked and sighted, which increases the danger, but the risk is much less than for a solitary animal. There is also greater safety in numbers for animals which have strong defenses, such as elephants. Only very strong bull elephants roam alone.
People come together for the same reasons. There is safety in numbers. Think of how creepy it is to walk alone on a dark street and how comfortable you are with your friends in the same area. Popular kids always travel in pairs if not whole cliques, while misfits walk alone, easy prey for bullies. Bullies usually have a pack - like other predators - for they are often cowards at heart and fearful of being alone.
Herd behavior in humans carries risk that other species don't encounter. People who follow - like sheep - often believe what the current wisdom prescribes whether their common sense can justify it or not. Macro-evolution comes to mind. How many of us believed what we were taught about species development until geology and micro-biology raised serious doubts about Darwinism? Global warming is another subject where many ignore the controversy and blindly accept the political propaganda. There is probably merit in all views, but many people don't even know the questions are there.
People who would never break serious laws may do so when in a mob - an example of an unruly herd. Lynching someone without a trial, throwing bricks through windows, smearing racial graffiti on buildings, and looting stores are all examples of what mob mentality can cause otherwise sane and law-abiding people to do. It is a strong-minded individual in this sort of scenario who often restores order and sanity.
Living in the herd may be the smartest thing you can do. Just be sure to take the time to think about it. You may find that striking out on your own is better in your particular occasion.
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