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hive mind

/haɪv maɪnd/
IPA guide

Other forms: hive minds

A hive mind is a group that behaves or thinks collectively as if it were a single entity. The internet hive mind may be a good source for restaurant reviews, but it can also quickly amplify outrage and criticism.

The term hive mind comes originally from entomology, where scientist study the coordinated behavior of social insects like bees and ants working together for the good of a hive or colony. From there, it was adopted by science fiction, where the idea of aliens that functioned like bees was a fascinating new frontier. In modern usage, the term has broadened to describe a group mentality in which individuals begin to think or act in similar ways, often with reduced individuality or originality.

Definitions of hive mind
  1. noun
    a group mentality or collective consciousness in which people have identical opinions and behaviors, acting as a community without individuality
  2. noun
    the collective behavior exhibited by social insects like bees and ants, in which individuals perform specific roles for the survival of the colony
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