>if our goal is to optimize communication then we should expect negative reviews to dominate the discussion because they're inherently capable of more meaningful excursions from the mean.

In reality, however, it seems that positive reviews tend to dominate. Using Google Maps reviews as my barometer, I hardly ever see any place rated less than 4.5 stars. So, I tend to think to myself "4.5-5 stars: might be good. 4 stars: probably okay. Less than 4: maybe steer clear."

Though, in practice I disregard reviews, take a plunge, and then decide on my own. Often I find myself in conflict with the average majority opinion.