Northwest Arkansas newspaper editor accuses local bloggers of Groupthink

Groupthink is a concept that refers to faulty decision-making in a group. Some believe the recent merger between newspapers in Northwest Arkansas will result in regional groupthink as alternative viewpoints and perspectives are supressed. Groups experiencing groupthink do not consider all alternatives and they desire unanimity at the expense of quality decisions. Groups attacking alternative viewpoints and controversial perspectives are often suffering Groupthink. Learn more about groupthink and then complete the interactive exercise at the end of the discussion to determine if you suffer from Groupthink. Since local bloggers are individuals not bound by the influences of powerful stakeholders including politicians, major employers, big advertisers and investors demanding maximizing profitability, there is little risk bloggers will suffer groupthink, according to experts in the subject. If the merger of local newspapers believes the region is suffering groupthink at the hands of local bloggers, we believe the issue deserves closer examination.  But first, what exactly is Groupthink? Conditions Groupthink occurs when groups are highly cohesive and when they are under considerable pressure to make a quality decision. Negative outcomes Some negative outcomes of groupthink include: Examining few alternatives Not being critical of each other's ideas Not examining early alternatives Not seeking expert opinion Being highly selective in gathering information ·         Not having contingency plans Symptoms Some symptoms of groupthink are: Having an illusion of invulnerability Rationalizing poor decisions Believing in the group's morality Sharing stereotypes which guide the decision Exercising direct pressure on others Not expressing your true feelings Maintaining an illusion of unanimity ·         Using mindguards to protect the group from negative information Solutions Some solutions include: Using a policy-forming group which reports to the larger group Having leaders remain impartial Using different policy groups for different tasks Dividing into groups and then discuss differences Discussing within sub-groups and then report back Using outside experts Using a Devil's advocate to question all the group's ideas ·         Holding a "second-chance meeting" to offer one last opportunity to choose another course of action   1.    What symptoms of groupthink were present in the recent merger between two Northwest Arkansas newspapers? 2.    Do Northwest Arkansas bloggers suffer from Groupthink? 3.    What were some of the negative consequences of the group decision-making process in the recent merger between two Northwest Arkansas newspapers? 4.    What positive influences are bloggers bringing to Northwest Arkansas to fight Groupthink 5.    What approaches to decision-making were used in the recent merger between two Northwest Arkansas newspapers that resulted in groupthink? 6.    How have bloggers prevented groupthink in your life? 7.    What bloggers are embracing groupthink? More to follow on how bloggers are impacting groupthink in Northwest Arkansas.

Quote of the day: Judge Dave Bisbee on Northwest Arkansas stray dog problems

"I am smart enough to know not to get between an Arkansan and his dog. Any elected official who does that will not continue to be elected, and I like being county judge." Dave Bisbee, County Judge in Northwest Arkansas.   The overwhelming problem of stray dogs and wild pack dogs terrorizing neighborhoods attacking farm animals in Benton County is blamed on inadequate regulation and enforcement, according to today's Democrat-Gazette

Plans for New High Schools Put on Hold in Northwest Arkansas

Stalled economic growth, administrative hurdles and on-going money disputes with the state of Arkansas have put new high schools in three northwest Arkansas districts on hold. "They may never get built in my kid's lifetime," declared one frustrated parent.   Farmington, Lincoln and Elkins school districts in Northwest Arkansas will be stuck with aging and outdated school facilities for years before adequate educational facilities get built.

A Bentonville Buffet -- The Cool Things They Claim They Do

Gary Compton, superintendent of Bentonville Public Schools, will speak at noon Friday, Nov. 13, in room 210 of the Graduate Education Building on the University of Arkansas campus. Compton's lecture, titled "A Bentonville Buffet -- The Cool Things We Do" is part of the series sponsored by the university's department of education reform.   It is free and open to the public. A light lunch will be served. RSVP online at uark.edu/ua/der.

Northwest Arkansas Broader Measure of Unemployment now at 17.5%.

Official Unemployment rates exclude people who have given up looking and part-timers who want to work full time. These folks fly under the radar among the official government statistics.   Called the "Broader measure of Unemployment" the rate in Arkansas is now 17.5%.   Arkansas is a state that traditionally has a disproportionate number of underemployed and part-time workers, and others who have simply given up looking.

Unemployment rate jumps to 10.2 percent

Arkansas expected to follow nation with higher job losses

20 homeless kids sit in limbo while law prevents adoptions in Northwest Arkansas

There are at least 20 children in Northwest Arkansas who need to find a home, reports KNWA. But, because of our hypocritical citizens who passed a law banning certain adoptions, these kids won't have a mom or dad this Thanksgiving.   To see kids who need homes in Northwest Arkansas, click here.   Thank goodness citizens who care, including law students at the University of Arkansa, are challenging the validity of Act One, which bans co-habiting, unmarried couples from adopting kids.   Read the story on KNWA, where on-line news is still free.

Arkansas Unemployment Claims up 360% over mid-2008

In another sign the economy in Arkansas is continuing to tank, reports from Northwest Arkansas economists and government officials indicate that since mid-2008, jobless claims in Arkansas have gone from about 20,000 a week to more than 70,000.   Weekly unemployment disbursements have risen from $5 million to almost $18 million. This includes federal money via the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act and  extensions.   If Arkansas is following the lagging trends of the rest of the country, it looks like the Northwest Arkansas economy will get worse before it gets better.

Arkansas Economy is less affected by recession because its closer to bottom to begin with

The Arkansas Economy is less affected by recession because of its "local nature," a popular and pretty University of Arkansas Economist suggests in an article and video in today's Arkansas Business Journal.   Rog, who is much crankier than the pretty economist, suggests it's because we're closer to the bottom to begin with. It begins with being ranked 47th in per capita income, says Rog, a local observer. Who's right? Your thoughts?   Read the story and watch the video in today's Arkansas Business Journal: http://cli.gs/8Xdtv

Northwest Arkansas Leaders Embrace Environmental Arrogance over Clean Water

Bentonville, Arkansas is the world headquarters of Walmart, a company who proudly declares it's leading the world in green and sustainable practices.   Apparently what's good for the Walmart public persona is not good for their very own hometown.   According to the Tahlequah Daily Press, where on-line news is still free, "A new sewage plant in Arkansas that violates the Clean Water Act will further pollute Oklahoma's scenic Illinois River, and sewage from the plant should not be discharged until a scientific study of the watershed is completed, a Tahlequah based conservation organization said in an appeal filed this week."   Over the objections of environmental organizations, the state of Oklahoma, and ordinary citizens concerned about water quality, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality gave permission last month to the ill-named "Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority" to discharge excessive amounts of pollutants into Osage Creek, a tributary of the Illinois River, the article alleges.   The disappointment is that Bentonville, which is controlled by local walmartians, would agree to allow the waste treatment plant to exceed the Federal Clean Water Act, according to the article. I'm no scientist, but if the allegations are true, it would most certainly undermine the credibility of the eco-friendly commentary being dispensed by Walmart, city leaders, and the local chambers of commerce.   Northwest Arkansas City Leaders Embrace Environmental Arrogance over Clean Water Act - Read more: http://bit.ly/203ivp