SPC
Social Proof Check Protocol
Evaluate whether social proof is valid or manufactured.
Estimated time: 50 seconds
Protocol Steps
- 1
Notice: "Everyone is doing/saying X."
~5s - 2
Question: How do I know "everyone" is?
~15s - 3
Investigate: Who are the actual individuals?
~20s - 4
Decide: Would I do this without the crowd?
~10s
When to Use
- When popularity is used as evidence
- When facing "everyone agrees" pressure
- Before joining trending movements
Common Failure Modes
- Assuming large numbers can't be manufactured
- Equating visibility with consensus
- Fearing being the odd one out