Come Together, Right Now: The Internet's Unlit Fuse | Personal Democracy Forum: "Basically, the collective action problem arises when a great number of people are willing to do something, but only if they think it will be worthwhile because enough other people will also do it. Imagine you look out your window to see two large men beating up a poor child on your street. If you go out alone, you%u2019re afraid you too will be beat up. But if you knew that all your neighbors were also watching, and would also be willing to take on the men, you'd get out in the street in an instant, knowing that collectively you can overpower them."
# Nov 18, 2004