What's a better word for "hugbox"?
What's a better word for what the term 'hugbox' suggests; i.e. an environment in which one is surrounded by likeminded people and as such is likely to have their preconceptions reinforced rather than challenged?
I've always used hugbox colloquially, but as a) the only definition I can find comes from Urban Dictionary and b) it refers to boxes used to calm the hypersensitive, it could be viewed as offensive and certainly unprofessional.
All I can think of is 'feedback loop', but that doesn't seem to fit.
Solution 1:
A common expression I've encountered is "echo chamber", in the sense of a room where your own voice is reflected back at you and you don't hear any new voices or ideas.
Here's Wikipedia on the topic:
In media, an echo chamber is a situation in which information, ideas, or beliefs are amplified or reinforced by transmission and repetition inside an "enclosed" system, where different or competing views are censored or disallowed.
and
Participants in online communities may find their own opinions constantly echoed back to them, which reinforces their individual belief systems
Solution 2:
"Group Think" would describe the action of what you're describing but not the location. Another phrase that may be useful is "to go along with the herd".
Solution 3:
Not a single word, but sometimes I've heard the phrase surrounded by yes-men.
From a recent interview:
I can tell you these network anchors are surrounded sometimes by what we call yes-men, yes-people who won't tell them the hard truths or raise questions .. Who wants to tell emperor that he's wearing no clothes?
and from a blog post entitled Say No to Yes Men:
For as long as I can remember, I have worked in organizations where I’ve seen the negative implications of “Yes Men.” By “Yes Men,” I’m referring to those individuals on a team, in an organization or in an environment where the only thing they will do is say “Yes” to their boss.
If a leader wants to be truly successful they must be willing to say “No” to “Yes Men.”