Social networks can create the illusion that something is common when it is actually rare.

The majority illusion is the phenomenon in which an individual comes to believe that a behavior or attribute of most of his or her friends is shared by the population outside that circle of friends.  Even though it is rare in the population as a whole, a minority opinion can be believed to be extremely popular.

This is what drives attempts to undermine the Master Plan and the plundering of North Village plans.  

A small clique of people talk mostly to each other. Because they are willing to allow development anywhere it will go, they convince themselves and a few others that this is a widely held goal.  Nothing will shake their beliefs.  They see only what they want to see. 

They don't stop talking to anyone with an opposing viewpoint - but they do stop listening.