I think the question here is whether the group mind is literal or figurative/metaphorical. Group-think is real in the sense of peer pressure, but I don’t think the idea of a collective mind has been scientifically established. It’s an intriguing hypothesis, to be sure. I’ve read about it in Howard Bloom’s books.

Anyway, would you say we ought to seek immersion in the group mind or withdraw to preserve our individuality? I’m just wondering whether you draw certain ethical inferences from this possibility or model.

I’m not sure we have to go as far as to posit a literal group mind, since the metaphor is strong enough: we can lose ourselves in our social roles. Even married people can lose their individuality as they habituate themselves to think as a single entity. This raises the question whether we’re obliged to submit to society, as in collective cultures such as China, or whether the value of individual identity is paramount as in parts of the US.