Rensselaer PolyTechnic Institute - It only takes 10% to change the Majority

[fightingquaker13]

And didn't some guy named Jesus start with only 12 dudes?

Uhh, I think there might have been a bit of nepotism there.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

And didn't some guy named Jesus start with only 12 dudes?

Actually CR, The way I understood it the disciples were more like his Lieutenant's, his actual support was much more widespread.
Think of it as Jesus as the Godfather, with 12 underbosses each running his own crew.
I used that analogy for the pun, but considering the anti establishment leanings of his teachings makes it even more relevant.

[fightingquaker13]

Actually CR, The way I understood it the disciples were more like his Lieutenant's, his actual support was much more widespread.
Think of it as Jesus as the Godfather, with 12 underbosses each running his own crew.
I used that analogy for the pun, but considering the anti establishment leanings of his teachings makes it even more relevant.

"Judas.....you disappoint me". Sorry, I couldn't help it.
FQ13 who will owe a bunch of Hail Marys for that one.

[tombogan03884]

Kind of the "Joe Valachi" of Christianity. 

[fightingquaker13]

Kind of the "Joe Valachi" of Christianity. 

Yeah, well hanging yourself because you were a rat bastard? Lord I can't even believe I'm about to post this, but hey, in for a penny in for a pound. Judas and Valachi? How did they go out? Ice T has the answer. And if anyone asks, like say M'lette or my priest? I never ever posted this. But hey, Tom tempts me to the dark side and I really kind of like it there
FQ13

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

Yeah, well hanging yourself because you were a rat bastard? Lord I can't even believe I'm about to post this, but hey, in for a penny in for a pound. Judas and Valachi? How did they go out? Ice T has the answer. And if anyone asks, like say M'lette or my priest? I never ever posted this. But hey, Tom tempts me to the dark side and I really kind of like it there
FQ13

Being socialy and morally proper isn't half as much fun as being an SOB   

[tombogan03884]

Now I imagine FA would like to see his thread drift at least sort of back on track.

[fullautovalmet76]

Now I imagine FA would like to see his thread drift at least sort of back on track.

Thanks, Tom! 

Quaker, since you are skeptical of the study, what percentage of the population do think is necessary and sufficient for an idea to gain critical mass? For example, the state of MA is a state of contradiction to me. They still have, at least I believe it to be true, Sunday blue laws on the books, which hearkens back to their more conservative Christian past. But then they pass a law in the state allowing gays to marry. Somewhere along the line the idea of allowing gays to marry gained critical mass and then it became a law. A similar thing happened in NY. I read the story of how it came to be in the NYT and was fascinated how pols where against a few years ago had changed their mind and voted for it.

[Timothy]

Off thread a bit but MA didn't necessarily embrace gay marriage.  The Supreme Judicial Court of MA FORCED the State Legislature to write a law which, is NOT within the courts charter and the legality of their strong arming was never challenged.  The Legislature didn't bother to fight the court or let the voters decide for themselves.

For the most part, people in MA don't give a damn one way or another outside of the beltway (Route 128).

[Solus]

Thanks, Tom!  

Quaker, since you are skeptical of the study, what percentage of the population do think is necessary and sufficient for an idea to gain critical mass? For example, the state of MA is a state of contradiction to me. They still have, at least I believe it to be true, Sunday blue laws on the books, which hearkens back to their more conservative Christian past. But then they pass a law in the state allowing gays to marry. Somewhere along the line the idea of allowing gays to marry gained critical mass and then it became a law. A similar thing happened in NY. I read the story of how it came to be in the NYT and was fascinated how pols where against a few years ago had changed their mind and voted for it.

FA, I just can't believe this study can apply to anything except a controlled lab experiment.

If two opposing views have 10% commuted believers each, both are going to grow.  But, the study claims that if you do have 10% you will begin to grow and quickly (relatively) have a majority who share your belief.   That simply is not possible for two opposing views to both have a majority of the populace supporting their point of view.

If you want to specify,

1.  no strong opposing view
2.  no other outside influences like social, environmental, political or economic events that marginalizes the importance of your issue to the populace.

Then the theory might work....and that is in a controlled lab situation.