~ Ayn Rand (1964). "The Virtue of Selfishness", p.122, Penguin

It has always been so, but considering the past two and one-half years, most of mankind has universally acted as non-human members of a non-caring mass. The explanation for this lies in the human phenomenon called "Mass Formation Psychosis." From a pragmatic perspective, this boils down to the elimination of the individual in society in order to satisfy the predisposed nature of the non-thinking idiotic herd seeking feigned safety and group acceptance. Rational and critical independent thought completely disappear when crowds gather; this attitude based on what is referred to as 'group think,' which actually means, no intelligent or intellectual thinking at all, just agreement without exception with the majority.

The false assumption of solidarity and the unwarranted perception of unity that necessarily accompanies any 'thought' of the 'common good,' which is neither common nor good, is only an illusion, and one that has to be accepted without proof or validity in order to perpetuate the state sponsored narrative. The dynamic of group lies and propaganda, something I refer to as societal shared obsolescence, is the core underlying premise expected and demanded by the ruling 'elite.' This state of mind by the masses can only lead to total failure and self-induced slavery, so any expectation of safety in numbers in this circumstance is asinine.