Some very interesting research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reaches the following conclusion, according to a release: “When just 10 percent of the population holds an unshakable belief, their belief will always be adopted by the majority of the society.”

One of the researchers observed, “When the number of committed opinion holders is below 10 percent, there is no visible progress in the spread of ideas. It would literally take the amount of time comparable to the age of the universe for this size group to reach the majority. Once that number grows above 10 percent, the idea spreads like flame.”

If this study is sound, its relevance is obvious. (Thanks to Gary North.)