Group projects are common in grad studies–and they should be. Learning and work needs to happen in community, not silos. But, there are good groups and then there are groups from hell.
Last night I was working on a paper at a cafe. Next to me was a group of loud adult women who I think were working on an MBA project. The tangents, the fighting over who would do what, the level of foolish banter reminded me why I always feared being in a group that couldn’t get out of its own way.
Best part last night? The 15 minute rabbit trail after someone spouted, “You are straining the gnats and swallowing the camel.” Apparently some had never heard this saying and so they debated its meaning, the right words for the saying and then who, in the group, was straining and who was swallowing.
Musings on Faith and Psychology 
I hated group projects. While not always the smartest guy in the group, I was usually the most driven. I opened myself to be easily manipulated into doing the bulk of the work. It was pretty easy to figure out that – given enough foolish banter – I would volunteer to complete the project and share the credit just so I wouldn’t have to put up with all that junk.
I don’t mind group projects, especially when I got to college. But in high school and middle school, one person (me) always did the work while everyone else goofed around. I don’t want my grade to suffer because of all the other slackers. See, Bowden and I should have worked on projects together!
I love people watching… It’s always quite educational, often in surprising ways!