From: https://youtu.be/C_B09FZwSbA?si=ejoPm2DwkoKRgdU4 - Wendover Productions
The greater the degree of shared identity the greater the degree of cooperation in a crowd.
Reason why most people won’t as much as acknowledge others when sitting on a plane/train/bus, yet will start talking, problem solving, sharing and helping as soon as major delay happens. From “Alone together with separate goals” to “Together with shared side goal”, from separate identities to shared identities.
This shared identity creates trust and cooperation rather than selfish destructive chaos often depicted in movies or as one might fear. During a disaster/emergency, unless their life is in immediate danger and physical health in active peril, there is actually more order and compassion than usually. (Reminds me of the result of the Acali Raft Experiment: turns out people are naturally prone to sharing and loving each other, to create peace: make different kinds of people live together, and give them a common problem)
Semi-related tangent: shared identities are found all over. I feel this is more related to shared pain than joy. At least the degree of intimacy and trust is greater over shared pain. Hence why guys who’ve went through mandatory military service (Kaitsevägi, ajateenistus) will immediately connect and wax lyrical about their (mostly shitty) experience for close to whole duration of parties they’re attending. This empathy of “you are me and I am you, we understand each other’s pain and thus trust that we will not abuse it”
In crowds there is a strong correlation between competitiveness and cooperation. In early access exclusive store openings there is a high degree of competition to get whatever is being sold first as there is usually limited stock. In riots, there is more order because there is no competition.
In crowds with or more than 5people/sqm the dynamics of the crowds are remarkably similar to fluid dynamics.