hivemind

Noun

hivemind (plural hiveminds)

1. A collection of minds somehow linked or unified, possibly as if by telepathy.
   • It traces the growth of homo gestalt with the uniting of six lovely outcasts of society who have psi powers and come together as a hive mind, thus creating a gestalt super-being.2005, Michael Ashley, Transformations: The History of the Science Fiction Magazine 1950 to 1970, Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, page 133
   • Though now extinct, the rachni once threatened every species in Citadel space. Over 2000 years ago, explorers foolishly opened a mass relay to a previously-unknown system and encountered something never seen before or since: a species of spacefaring insects guided by a hive-mind intelligence.2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Rachni Codex entry

   Synonyms:

   groupmind

2. (broadly, figuratively) Collective intelligence, especially when facilitated by communications technology.
   • The marvel of “hive mind” is that no one is in control, and yet an invisible hand governs, a hand that emerges from very dumb members.1992, Kevin Kelly, Out of Control, Addison-Wesley, published 1994, →ISBN, page 12
   • The hive mind should be thought of as a tool. Empowering the collective does not empower individuals — just the reverse is true.2006 May 29, Jaron Lanier, “Digital Maoism: The Hazards of the New Online Collectivism”, in Edge

   Synonyms:

   swarm intelligence

3. (broadly, derogatory, figuratively) A group of people who uncritically share beliefs, behave very similarly or mindlessly follow orders.
   • Lehman, AIG, Anglo-Irish, etc. were not cases of immortal hive-minds at work; they were cases of kleptocrats run wild.2010 December 10, Paul Krugman, “Hive-minds and Kleptocrats”, in The Conscience of a Liberal

   Synonyms:

   sheeple