Herd or Non-Herd?

Herd or Non-Herd?

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dave lackey

dave lackey

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As a RF photographer, I find myself totally out of the DSLR phenomenon but I still use a Nikon D40 for many things. Then, I started thinking. Lately, I have been reading a little about the herd mentality of humans. Also, there seems to be renewed interest about non-herd humans. So, it strikes me that I must be "non-herd" in the photography world...and it seems, quite the same throughout my life!

So, do you consider yourself Herd or Non-Herd?
 
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Oh, I forgot to mention that my exposure to the Herd Theory is limited to some research in the political field. But, it sure seems that the Herd Theory is prevalent throughout society in all areas, like marketing, education and even in the growth of cities. It certainly pertains to my choices in photography, namely choosing rangefinders over SLR's.

Never had time to really develop my thoughts on this subject until now. It all started about two years ago when I was introduced into the psychodrama world by a friend who started me thinking about an interesting topic:

"Your character determines your fate."

Somehow, I followed a path in my thinking about the Herd Theory. It has led me to believe that choosing RF over other types of photography had little to do with what everyone else is doing.

Anyone else have any thoughts about the Herd Theory and it's significance for those of us who find such fascination with rangefinder photography?
 
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Here's how to tell if you are "herd" or "non-herd"

If you say YES to more than 3 of the items below, you are in the HERD (not that there is anything wrong with it):

1. You use photoshop more than once a month
2. You got suckered into a 4/3 setup
3. Your ratio of Leica lens to non-Leica lens is greater than 75%
4. You spend more time on online photo forums than actually shooting
5. You don't shoot both film and digital mediums
6. You don't care that your lenses have focus shift, distortion, and are slower than rated
 
r2d2,

I don't have a "herd theory" but it isn't hard to find:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_instinct

The question of why people buy the products they buy comes into play on this forum all the time. The digital mainstream versus the Leica buyer is but one example.

It fascinates me to look at the countless areas that the Herd Theory can be applied to...and then it hit me that the fact that I am a non-herd person and that fact is evident in almost every area of my life.

So, my character determines my fate. My photography is dependent on my choices which are influenced by the Herd Theory.

Ah, well, it is food for thought.;)
 
A reference to papers on the subject would be nice as i like to do some research before i stick my foot in my mouth :)
if "Your character determines your fate." I will be crushed to death by my out of control camera collection, killed by a blow to the head from a FED!
However are you asking if i will buy a digital slr because everyone else is the answer is not printable on this fine forum ... basically NO
 
Suprinsing to inform all the web that your are independant and asking our advises about

go take some pictures the world is wide and full of subjects
 
r2d2 said:
As I understand it, the herd mentality pertains to how people act while in a group or crowd.
When taken out of the group the persons will revert to a more normal social behaviour.

I cannot see how this relates to the RF vs DSLR debate.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's what I thought herd mentality was.

From what i've seen on many topics, RFFers for the most part do lean toward herd mentality.
 
I think RFFers are pack animals. Smarter than those running with the herd, quick to move and often think before they act.

I could be wrong......but I don't think so.

B2 (;->
 
Back in the 70s all the non-comformists looked and dressed alike. I never could figure that one out. As far as RFF is concerned, we have all circled our tents inside a larger circle of tents which annoys some folks. The word Leica tends to start discussions like religion and politics, all opinions and no conclusion. The same thing with film/digital.
Where was I?
I'm not sure I see any herd mentality in humans, but I certainly see mob mentality. It is the one characteristic of the beast that I find the most dangerous.
As far as character and fate, both are too hard to pin down to make a useful discussion.
That's more words than I've used all day.
 
As Henrik Ibsen said, the minority is always right.

How is one to answer a question containing two questions, with just one answer? If I answer YES, which of the questions am I answering?
 
Ha, ha...this is getting to be hilarious.:cool:

It reminds me of the BMW Motorcycle crowd I moved to when I tired of the Harley Davidson lifestyle 10 years ago:

The difference between the HD and BMW riders was obvious. At an HD rally, all the riders look the same but the bikes look different. At a BMW rally, all the riders look different but the bikes look the same!:D

I think this mini-herd concept has a lot of merit!
 
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