James Surowiecki: The power and the danger of online crowds

The transcript discusses personal experiences during the Asian tsunami and the role of blogs in covering the event. It highlights the motivations behind blogging, the concept of collective intelligence, and the wisdom of crowds. The discussion also addresses the potential downsides of networked intelligence, such as groupthink and loss of independence. The tsunami coverage by blogs is seen as a seminal moment for the blogosphere, showcasing the power of citizen journalism and the challenges of information dissemination in crisis situations.

Reflect on the emotional impact of the tsunami as described in the text.

How did the tsunami coverage differ from traditional media reporting?

What are the potential downsides of the interconnectedness of the blogosphere?

What did the speaker mean by 'the circular mill' in the context of the blogosphere?