What is a social group?

[Beat Mango]

How do you know when you're in one? Aren't we all islands? Without the memory function of our brain, would groups even be possible?

Discuss.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Memory is interesting.

Memory is the continuation of a flow of information through time. Genetics is the same in this respect (as is, arguably, quantum mechanics as well). This hints at grouping extending as a natural phenomenon beyond humans and society, into physics and synchronicity. Now, at this level, are we aware of it? I'd assume the answer is yes, assuming it can be observed and recognized; but even if we're not aware, that doesn't mean it isn't true.

 

[not]

I concur. Social groups occur as natural phenomenon and exist separate from your own consciousness. You could belong to a group and not be aware of it. But I think someone, person, god, the universe, has to be conscious of the groupings for them to have any 'meaning.'

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

I concur. Social groups occur as natural phenomenon and exist separate from your own consciousness. You could belong to a group and not be aware of it. But I think someone, person, god, the universe, has to be conscious of the groupings for them to have any 'meaning.'

So... Now I have to.

1. Are atoms social? Is the bird conscious of the flock? Is it conscious of greater levels of organization; population, species, etc? (<-All rhetorical)
2. Reciprocal causality resolves the problem in red.

 

[inhibitions]

Social groups=security blanket.

Think about it. Why do other animals travel in large herds? Why do gangs recruit new members?

People fear other people in large numbers.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Yet you can't go around living in fear, it's not like it'll just go away because you've suddenly realized it's irrational, it's too deeply rooted for that, at least for most people it is.

Thus one ought to select social groups carefully, aiming not only for yield in the form of social parachutes to prevent unwanted freefalls, but also for specific content to spur intellectual growth; furthermore, internet forums make for effective "Third place"ish output channels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place), especially for oddballs.

 

[Beat Mango]

Apparently a sperm "knows" when another sperm is related, in that it will form a macro-sperm with those of its own kind only (this was found in some polygamous kind if mice).

 

[inhibitions]

Yet you can't go around living in fear, it's not like it'll just go away because you've suddenly realized it's irrational, it's too deeply rooted for that, at least for most people it is.

Thus one ought to select social groups carefully, aiming not only for yield in the form of social parachutes to prevent unwanted freefalls, but also for specific content to spur intellectual growth; furthermore, internet forums make for effective "Third place"ish output channels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place), especially for oddballs.

Point taken.

 

[Cherry Cola]

I think the level of knowledge in that case is quite akin to a positive particle knowing when it's close to a negative one though :P But but, tis knowledge nonetheless.

 

[SpaceYeti]

A group connected by social interaction.