Today, inspiration is not hard to find. Open a newspaper, switch on the news and right there you will have plenty of food for thought (the said food not always being nourishing for the said thought). One evening spent listening and barely watching the cacophony that played out on the news hour with our very own Arnab Goswami, got me thinking about the subject matter for this piece. We have all heard the term, jump on the bandwagon. What does it mean? The bandwagon effect is defined as ‘a phenomenon whereby the rate of uptake of beliefs, ideas, fads and trends increase the more that they have already been adopted by others’. This is a phenomenon that has become commonplace in the world of today. One individual gets a brainwave and the whole lot follow.
Our current scenario is a text book for this ‘effect’. We see a spark ignite in some brain, in some individual, in some remote place in the country and suddenly there is a nationwide current passing right through. It’s astounding to see how some ideas and ideals, when adopted by a small majority start turning into an anthem of the nation. Let’s start big and go small here. The nation we live in, known for its cultural diversity and religious multiplicity has suddenly in the recent past turned completely on its heels in the absolute and opposite direction. Every idea starts with a spark in one mind and that my dear friends is the crux of the bandwagon effect.
For generations, we have seen this effect play out, not necessarily in a negative way. Cultures, religions, ideas and ideals and even values we have imbibed have come as a sort of consequence of people jumping on the bandwagon. True, the world we live in today is an amalgamation of year upon year of thought, innovation, ideas and yes the acceptance and embracing of those thoughts, ideas and innovations and thus making them our own and that of the multitude. As being a part of this race, we do understand that our beliefs and actions do have an effect on those around us or at least we must try to understand. It is those in positions of power who actually have a huge responsibility. When a decision is taken based on a sentiment, thousands of lives are automatically affected. The sad part is, very highly respected movie stars are also jumping onto a few very questionable bandwagons and supporting behaviours that could harm.
The way we behave in even smaller units like our place of work, in the family or with our friends also has far reaching consequences. When we do and say things on a whim, we fail to foresee where we could be leading. As adults, we tend to hold our opinions above those of others and when they do show resistance to how we feel, we get angry. The bandwagon effect is like a form of peer pressure, where we insist on our ideals and expect others to follow and the others feel that you have an authority in the matter and thus it is their duty to follow, sometimes, no questions asked.
We go with the flow and do things others do just because we have forgotten how important it is to think for ourselves. Should I buy a particular television just because all my friends have it? Should I style my hair a certain way just because most of the girls my age do it? Or should I get married and have babies now because that’s what all my friends are? The power to choose and to decide are the cognitive processes that make us unique form all other species. Why then do we let ourselves get carried away? Well the answer lies in this unending need we have to belong and be ‘part’ of the whole. We have this warped sense that dictates that only by taking on the views of others and making them your own do you actually create a place for yourself in that group. This flawed perception leads to the death of free thought and speech and thus stunts our basic creativity. We have a mind of our own, it is our duty and birth right to use it. If there is even the slightest question in your mind about something, follow your gut. It’s better to have your own opinion, speak your own mind and live your own life rather than to jump on a bandwagon that will take you to nowhere.
Charlene Farrell is a counselling psychologist who works extensively with children and adolescents. She also counsels and works with individuals of all ages. Emotional well-being, to her, is of utmost importance to a fruitful existence
