Quote from: monsta666 on Jul 29, 2025, 03:16 PMIf you think critically then quite often your thoughts and opinions will diverge from the prevailing social narrative.

Sure. But disagreeing with prevailing social narrative doesn't require critical thinking. It just requires disagreeing with prevailing social narrative for any reason. Potheads can disagree with the prevailing social narrative of reefer madness back in the day just because they like pot. No critical thinking required, just...disagreement.

Quote from: monsta666This poses a problem as there will be some social pressure to conform.

Like THAT hasn't existed since the dawn of time? All it took a couple of centuries ago was being declared a witch to get burned at the stake...there is some "social pressure to conform" right there.

Quote from: Monsta666Thinking critically is one thing but it also takes a certain character to act out or to follow through despite the potential stigma you will face.

Nah. It wasn't hard. You just had to know some science, put together the logic and presto.....peak oil in 1990? Oh, let me detail the absurdity! Want to repeat it again in the late 90's my Dear Dr. Campbell? Oh I don't think so! Etc etc.

Quote from: monsta666Quite often people don't want to hear the truth and would rather you follow the herd.

And when the "truth" is just a belief system...and shouldn't be followed? Now we are talking about what...religion? Cults? Or just raging ignorance on a particular topic, with those ahead of their times treated poorly until as time goes by....folks realize it was the herd that was full of crap? And then folks get famous! Hubbert ran that route to some extent. Blasted for saying something silly in 1956...accolades for getting it right in 1970....then trashed again when it turns out his idea was incomplete in nature and others were left to explain why and solve the next peak oil using modern understanding.

Quote from: monsta666Speaking out or thinking differently actively challenges the social narrative which many will find uncomfortable and perhaps even disturbing.

Indeed. There were some years where it was touch and go, but once folks handed over the resources necessary to prove the different thinking....accolades!