[Mariner]

"Janis identified eight different "symptoms" that indicate groupthink:

Illusions of invulnerability lead members of the group to be overly optimistic and engage in risk-taking.

Unquestioned beliefs lead members to ignore possible moral problems and ignore consequences of individual and group actions.

Rationalizing prevents members from reconsidering their beliefs and causes them to ignore warning signs.

Stereotyping leads members of the in-group to ignore or even demonize out-group members who may oppose or challenge the groups ideas.

Self-censorship causes people who might have doubts to hide their fears or misgivings.

"Mindguards" act as self-appointed censors to hide problematic information from the group.

Illusions of unanimity lead members to believe that everyone is in agreement and feels the same way.

Direct pressure to conform is often placed on members who pose questions, and those who question the group are often seen as disloyal or traitorous.

>Thank you Irving L. Janis for identifying this symptom of imminent national suicide.

Everyone who lives in Washington DC and environs has it

[Mariner]

"Groupthink being a coinage -- and, admittedly, a loaded one -- a working definition is in order. We are not talking about mere instinctive conformity -- it is, after all, a perennial failing of mankind. What we are talking about is a rationalized conformity -- an open, articulate philosophy which holds that group values are not only expedient but right and good as well."

(William H. Whyte Jr.)

[infowarrior]

Everyone who lives in Washington DC and environs has it

I must take exception to this, as there *are* those of us who live in either DC or the environs who shun and abhor groupthink in all its various permutations...

the infowarrior