Thread: Independent Thought and Perspective

Trying to define the nature of intelligence is probably beyond the scope of this thread. The OP was asking why people are less capable of independent thought today than they used to be.

Answer:- They are not less capable. It is just one of these perennially popular notions that people have been thinking since time began such as why are kids so badly behaved these days.

Independent thought is not always the best course of action anyway. Following the herd is a natural instant. We evolved it because it keeps us out of harm.

Your independent thinker standing laughing at the crowd all running in one direction will not be laughing when he is guy that gets eaten by the bear they were all running away from. An instinct to follow the herd serves you well at times. Children learn most of their social behaviour by observing and emulating their peers. When someone joins a new company he will often moderate his behaviour as he observes the corporate culture in order to fit in. A simple survival strategy at work in modern day life. Surviving is better than not surviving even if it means conforming.

How would society function anyway if everyone was determined to go against the flow at every opportunity and flout the laws and customs of the land.

While we are at it what is really the point of driving on the left hand side of the road? Just because everyone else does? But they are just a bunch of sheep surely?

Independent thought as well as critical thinking has been officially pronounced anti-social behavior. Today's world order insists on team building. If you're not on the team then you are against the team. How many endless hours were spent in "team building," sessions over the years. You quickly find out that you better shut up and act like you're on the team.

Simply having skills, knowledge and the ability to apply all is a not your allay in the new world order. If you are not considered a team player then you're out. Intelligence has nothing to do with independent thought or action. Even in monastic life they follow the leader and join the team. Betty gave a fine example of the "herd mentality," that accepted and defended a clone who used cliche words but in reality didn't know the meaning of them. When asked betty became the sacrificial lamb and was attacked for causing a disruption in the presentation. Betty was set up by his so called mentor I think, but that's critical thought not thinking there.

Never offer an opinion in todays market place unless its kissing the head clowns ass. Survival 101.

Originally Posted by Looper

How would society function anyway if everyone was determined to go against the flow at every opportunity and flout the laws and customs of the land.

Indeed Looper, how would society function? It would be a welcome breeze to this fellow if it could happen. Just think about this one Looper, what if Google was found to be anti-people? Which it is of course, but they're to big, to powerful and nobody can or will take them on. IMO, they make Microsoft look almost human when compared...thats fucking terrible isn't it?

Originally Posted by cyrille

Surely some knowledge is innate?

I'm sure if you gave a Thai a Dutch Hoe they would immediately turn the blade through 90 degrees and use it like a Thai hoe.

Originally Posted by ltnt

Independent thought as well as critical thinking has been officially pronounced anti-social behavior. Today's world order insists on team building.

I believe you can still have independent thinkers and most important critical thinkers and still work on a team effectively.

Following the masses to a degree is what many blind people are doing today when they are following the crowd. The people (top down model) are listening to what everyone else is doing or saying without finding out the truth on their own by asking questions and looking into things in more detail.

There is more exercised freedom of intellectual thought and expression today than there was 50, 100, 200 years ago in general society.

100 years ago was it OK to say that religion is nonsense and god does not exist and morality is something for humans to work out for themselves?

Was it OK to say that gay people, black people, women should have the same rights as anyone else?

The human race has made great social strides in the last 100 years and trotting out the usual predictable pessimistic myopic nonsense about how the world is going to hell in a hand basket etc. is just boring and an example of intellectual laziness.