Gibbon’s perspective on the Roman mob reflects a historical cautionary tale: that societal disorder can arise from collective demands for sustenance and spectacle, posing risks even in democratic contexts.
Mackay characterized the crowd's behavior as more comedic than dangerous, suggesting a transition from fearful interpretations of the mob to seeing them as misguided but ultimately harmless, illustrating a nuanced view of public opinion.
In modern discourse, the concept of the crowd has evolved to denote collective intelligence, demonstrating the potential benefits of community input and wisdom, challenging old prejudices against mob mentality.
The historical shift from viewing crowds skeptically to embracing their potential highlights an important evolution in the perception of collective action: from chaos to collective intelligence.
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