Are Trends making us brainless? The bandwagon effect!

Questions to answer.

It takes only one person to make a viral trend with millions of aimless followers. Have you ever thought, why are you doing this viral challenge? Or why are you following some beliefs? Or why do you use a new application that launched on the same day? Or why do you buy a specific product? Or why would you vote for someone or something?

Answers to rethink about.

If your answer is not for a reasonable cause, then it is more likely because others did it, so you did it. You are doing a viral challenge even if you hate it, like throwing an ice bucket on yourself. You may be a believer or an atheist, and if you ask yourself why I believe in it or not, the majority will not have a clear answer. Over 30 million downloads of Threads app in 16 hours, after its first launch, you may have downloaded it, but you did it for the trend, and for the urge of trying something new that everyone is talking about or doing. You may buy a trendy life hack product, a specific perfume, or a specific phone type just for the hype around it, even if you don't need or like it. You may vote for a politician or a cause, even if you don't know what they call for.

The Bandwagon effect.

The bandwagon effect describes people's tendency to adopt certain beliefs, behaviour, OR attitudes merely because many others are doing it, whether those opinions are rational or not. Fear of missing out (FOMO) can also contribute to the bandwagon effect, as people worry that they will miss out on something if they do not participate in a popular trend or activity. People follow trends because they work as a mental shortcut, as it shortens and eases the thought process for them.

Following a trend is healthy or not?

The answer is both. Trends and popular culture are not inherently bad or unhealthy for society. Rather, they can create a sense of “tribalism” or a herd, which gives people a sense of unity or harmony with each other. On the other hand, a Trend can be so dangerous, and deadly, if you are just to follow without a first thought about what you will be doing as the Kiki challenge (jumping out of a moving car and dancing alongside it to Drake’s hit In My Feelings, while the car continues moving) that went viral in 2018, and caused hundreds of injuries and deaths in different countries. You can protect yourself from falling for an unhealthy trend, if you just thought about the trend and did your own research whether it is healthy or not, then ask yourself "will this trend prove me brainless?"

Conclusion.

Following the trend is an example of the bandwagon effect, but do we follow aimlessly or after a first thought? Answering this question after a personal research will save you from falling for unhealthy trends and may be saving your brain and your life.