A new study finds that when 25 percent of people in a group adopt a new social norm, it creates a tipping point where the entire group follows suit. This shows the direct causal effect of the size of a committed minority on its capacity to create social change

Even without bots, you should be wary of manipulative groups that attempt to influence you by claiming "Everyone else is doing it", "More people are doing it every day", or worse, people who dare you or try to challenge your ego to get you to try what they want you to try.

"Just try it for a week, what could it hurt?"

"If you're so confident, trying it my way for a month won't do anything, you'll just gain insight into my point of view then. Don't be so closed minded."

"Fine, prove me wrong then and try it. Show me that it won't change your mind."

If they have to resort to "everyone else jumped off a bridge, why won't you at least try it" stupidity, they don't care about anything beyond converting you. They certainly don't care about you and they definitely don't want you to think for yourself.

Ask yourself "Would this be a reasonable challenge, request or valid point if a someone from a different faith was knocking on my door? What about a racist? Or a serial killer?" People who use lines similar to the ones above have a bad habit of preying on impressionable children, the misinformed, the insecure or people just plain looking for a purpose in the middle of a life crisis. The last thing they want is strong will and independent thought or criticism.

Do they seem to lack any identity apart from their devotion to what they're trying to convert you to? That's not a healthy person to be talking to. That's a person with an obsession and an agenda at the expense of thought and empathy.

/r/science Thread Parent Link - asc.upenn.edu