I have noticed certain group dynamics that seem common to Zoom meetings.  (I understand that Zoom might not like me referring to all videoconferencing as Zoom meetings because they do not want their trademark to go the way of the Xerox copy or Kleenex or Uber, but I will worry about their feelings later).  

First, the larger the number of participants, the less likely anyone is to actually participate. Generally, the moderator or host works his way through the agenda and will, from time to time, ask for comments.  Participants will react in stunned silence, wondering, “Should I say what I am thinking?” Their uncertainty is attributable to the concern reflected in an old bromide often attributed to Abe Lincoln: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” If you Google that quote, you will find that it was actually first uttered by Unknown, an apparent thought-leader at one time responsible for many insightful one-liners.

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