A manipulative communication tactic where a speaker claims their position is the "majority view" without robust evidence, or by cherry-picking a single favorable poll, to create a bandwagon effect and pressure dissenters into silence. It's the manufacturing of a false consensus to win an argument through social pressure, not persuasion.
Majority Picking Example: During a company debate about returning to the office, a manager says, "I've talked to a lot of people, and the majority really want to be back full-time." They have no survey data—they've just "picked" the opinions of a few like-minded senior staff to present as the majority will, quashing the concerns of silent younger employees.
by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 4, 2026
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