THE POWER OF WHISPERS: A THEORY OF RUMOR, COMMUNICATION, AND REVOLUTION*
研究谣言如何动员个体参与集体行动，发现讨论谣言真实性比直接相信更能协调大规模攻击，但极端谣言可能适得其反。
We study how rumors mobilize individuals who take collective action. Rumors may or may not be informative, but they create public topics on which people can exchange their views. Individuals with diverse private information rationally evaluate the informativeness of rumors about regime strength. A rumor against the regime can coordinate a larger mass of attackers if individuals can discuss its veracity than if they cannot. Communication can be so effective that a rumor can have an even greater impact on mobilization than when the same story is fully believed by everybody. However, an extreme rumor can backfire and discourage mobilization.