The word "collective" in Fluther seems a bit ominous and I am wondering does the "collective" encourage dissent or is there a core group who control the agenda?

I am a person who dislikes cliques, know it alls, and people unwilling to agree to disagree civilly. The “collective” seems a bit of a mysterious term or nomenclature and I am wondering if there is any evidence to dispel or support this claim as I am a relatively new member. I would especially be interested in those who are at he margins of having had trouble. Or maybe I was watching one too many Star Trek episodes about the “The Body” and am paranoid…