A short, easy reading list for those who think any of this is new,

[bemildred]

or who doubt that we are being led by buffoons.

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds -- Charles MacKay 1841

Rumor, Fear, and the Madness of Crowds -- J. P. Chapin 1959

The Rabble Rousers -- Eric Frank Russell 1963

The March of Folly -- Barbara W. Tuchman 1984

Not hard reading, any of them either.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Groupthink by Irving Janis.

[bemildred]

2. Excellent, thank you. Really ought to mention Eric Hoffer too.

The True Believer -- Eric Hoffer 1951

[Captain Hilts]

4. I don't know that one, thanks. nt

[bemildred]

3. Here's a link:

Groupthink

[snake in the grass]

5. Orwell's '1984.'