The Tinkerbell effect

mildlyannoyedrabbit:

The Tinkerbell effect describes those things that exist only because people believe in them. The effect is named for Tinker Bell, the fairy in the play Peter Pan who is revived from near death by the belief of the audience.

Claimed cases include:

  • monetary system
  • civil society
  • the “rule of law”
  • deities
  • authority