Herding

From the second law of thermodynamics, a random action generally costs more than it gains. To concentrate actions into profitable ones, humans, like wild animals, often learn from the experience of successful individuals and copy their behavior. It is generally very costly and impossible to repeat all of the experiences and mistakes that are possible. Therefore, we accept certain modes of behavior demonstrated by others without completely investigating the reasons behind them. Copying the actions of others directly is much easier, i.e., more efficient. Herding mentality developed because it is a cost-effective way of learning most of the time.

Human beings are social animals. Herding, or following the crowd, is good for survival.  If you have walked alone in the wildness, you must have acute sense of vulnerability and powerlessness of human beings as individuals. Moose, bear and other animals can overrun human beings easily. It is only in crowds that we become powerful. So herding is essential for survival. A person who goes his own way usually cannot survive long. Herding mentality is evolved in this way.

It should be emphasized that all learning, especially institutionalized learning, are herding behavior. There are infinitely many things to explore. But we only have finite time and energy.

- From Jing Chen, The Entropy Theory of Human Mind