CommunityAsMind

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Timothy Gowers, in a [follow-up] to [is massively collaborative mathematics possible?], said:

: I also have a more personal reason for this confidence, which is that I feel as though the kind of conversation I am advocating is very similar to the kind of conversation I have with myself when I am doing research on my own.

He went on to add,

: It feels as though this process is to normal research as driving is to pushing a car

In so doing, he drew a parallel between the functioning of one of the world's best minds (he's a fields medalist) and the functioning of a well-knit community -- and indicated that the result is a meta-mind which is far more powerful than its components.

Discussion

NathanielThurston: I find the analogy at once accurate, powerful, and fascinating. I'd also like to raise a cautionary note, about the potential for the analogue of ForestFire and OverwhelmingTopic -- take care to protect your mind from these dangers. On a related note, wise for individuals to defend against CategorySpam. Would anyone care to comment?