Is there a greater threat to the evolution of mankind than taking away Freedom Of Thought? We expect the ruling class to try and take it way from us, but what can we do once the entire Western society has been conditioned into believing it is OK to thought police each other and ourselves? What is it in us that drives us apart, separates us into various micro-communities, echo chambers in which our attitudes, ideas and thoughts are never challenged? Our wish to conform. We crave conformity and acceptance. We want feedback, we want to be appreciated, we want to bounce our ideas inside these echo chambers, because we know they will not be ridiculed or criticized.
This is hard-wired into our brains, we are predisposed to seek alliances. But, when does it go too far? The internet has, undoubtedly, brought us closer, but it has also crippled us of the ability to face and accept criticism or opinions that do not align with ours.
Stunting growth
How will we progress if the only dialogue that's led is that within these communities? Like Chomsky says: "The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum."
Isn't that exactly what's happening in the world today? Think about it. What are you allowed to criticize and where? Would you be able to freely express your opinion about Donald Trump in a Trump-related micro-community, even if you don't have good things to say about the POTUS?
Would you be able to freely express your opinion about 13 year old kids having sex change operations on a liberal, left-leaning forum?
You most probably would not, but that is no the biggest problem. The biggest problem is not that you wouldn't be allowed to voice your opinion where it doesn't align with the narrative, the biggest problem is that you would censor yourself, out of fear of being excluded and criticized.
Where does it all end?
Where does this end? Corporations like Google are manipulating and censoring information, serving to the public only what they want to serve. This is reconditioning millions of people, forcing propaganda down their throats. The mainstream media has lost its credibility long ago. Where does this leave us?
It seems we are practically forced to exist within these societal echo chambers. If you want to have a proper discussion, a real dialogue, if you want your opinions to be challenged, you have to make a real effort. Refusing to police your own thoughts is a great first step.
