We live in a world populated by people that immerse themselves in one subculture or another. And while there are many benefits to this immersion there are also some profound negatives. Not all subculture is bad, but some certainly can be. The subcultures I take issue with are those that promote group think, the echo chamber of dysfunction reinforcement. Another concern are information silos that avoid disconfirming evidence threatening to sacred predetermined narratives. Authoritarianism which tells the in group to be insular and only listen to trusted in group sources that reinforce sacred narratives. This is fertile ground for evil to rise and flourish. By evil I mean selfish, self centered, closed minded with us or against us views that reject disconfirming evidence while uncritically accepting confirming evidence in support of sacred narratives. There is great danger in only wanting to hear that which confirms our sacred beliefs. A sacred belief being a perceived fundamental truth that is the foundation to how we perceive the world and base our behavior on. This is easiest to see in cults such as The Peoples Temple of the 70’s, but exists to one degree or another in any authoritarian group such as monotheism and political parties. I argue that there is great value in being the nail that sticks out even knowing you will have to endure being hammered on by groups that demand unquestioning and unyielding loyalty. I think we need more people like John McCain, Liz Cheney, George Carlin and Bill Maher all of which are or were mavericks in their own rite. People with the courage to go against the status quo of their preferred in group. People that place more value upon personal integrity over group loyalty. Evil does not like the challange of an upstart as it demands acquiescence. I argue that we need the rebel, the black sheep, those brave enough to risk ostracization in order to maintain their integrity. Those that critically examine disconfirming evidence that may be threatening to their most sacred beliefs even though it risks plunging them into a deep existential crisis. Those that want to see the world as it is as opposed to seeing it within a theological and/or ideological bubble. There is utility to challenging the status quo (especially of our in group/s) as it is the best way to stave off group think and it’s associated negatives. Evil rises when good people shut up and fall in line. We like pointing to out group evil while being oblivious to like evil of our in group. We like to perceive evil as being self aware of its own evil. In reality evil tends to perceive itself as good and most of us perceive ourselves as good. I am not saying we are all evil monsters, but I am saying that we suck at seeing the evil within. I would rather be a dejected individualist than to enjoy the security and happiness provided by the evil of group think and information silos.
Might be a bit idealistic, but good food for thought and well said. I don't fully agree with your examples (though they are up there.) I think the best example of a black sheep maverick politico is Trump. Possibly Obama.
Thought a bit more about what you said. Trump certainly was a maverick, not sure the label still applies, but that is a topic for perhaps another thread. The reason I picked the four mavericks that I did is because I subjectively perceive them as being a force of good, upholding values that I hold dear. It is clear to me now that I missed an opportunity to give a more balanced selection of mavericks and I thank you for pointing that out to me.
Thanks for the response. Being a force for good and upholding someone's values does not make someone a black sheep maverick, however. I suggested Obama might pass the test but he in no way in my mind was a force for good nor did he uphold values I find dear.
