Culling Of the Herd: Now More Than Ever, We Must Not Follow.

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect."

—Mark Twain

Street art by Morley.

We are living in a scary time— a time when all we know is slipping away, bit by bit. Our knowledge itself is being compromised; we are trading brain cells for convenience because of the fear of silence, of boredom. Rather than making our brain functioning a priority, we are outsourcing. Outsourcing our tasks, our choices, our ability to think. AI, the media, the government, the tech billionaires— they are all parts of an insidious, systemic dumbing-down of all of us.

The less we think, the easier we are to control.

This is what I mean when I say that this is a dangerous time to follow the herd. When the next pandemic happens, the majority of Americans may not wear masks. When you are out in public, you are likely to see most people staring at their phones, always transfixed, as though they are hypnotized. Most people seem to be going about their lives as though we are not quickly sliding into an autocracy. How far will you go to fit in? Would you die for it? Would you give up your freedom for it? These aren't rhetorical questions. I want you to stop reading for a moment and actually ask yourself these important questions.

• Is fitting in more important to you than living?

• Would you trade your freedom for popularity?

• Is feeling awkward and not being "like everyone else" scary enough that you would rather be dead?

Here's the bottom line: if you live in the US, your life is going to change, possibly more abruptly and more severely than any of us can predict. There are billions of people in the world who have never had what we have; that have been suffering, often as a result of our greed and consumerism. Our karma is due, and it is going to be beyond challenging.

The Social Media Monster

The first thing you need to do to stop following is (of course) get off of social media. Study after study has shown that social media increases risky decision making, causes issues with making values-based decisions, causes depression and a loss of self confidence, and more. Staying on social media is a great way to let the billionaire technocracy bros know your every move and thought, as well. I am not going to go on and on about social media, because you know all of this already. However, if you want some other Dilate reading material on why social media is horrible, check out the Related Posts section below this article.

Fear of the Repercussions of Non-Conformity

It is scary to be the outsider, especially when stakes seem so high and so many disturbing things are happening in the world. However, the time has come to put your survival first by adapting to the world as it is, and not just going along with everyone who has decided to keep on as if nothing has changed. Although the fear of missing out, the fear of being left alone, or the fear of being seen as "weird" threatens to keep you in the herd mentality, you can (and you must) overcome those fears. What you will find once you are that outsider is that you actually are not alone.

“Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” —President John F. Kennedy

How to Tell if You're Stuck in the Herd Mentality

Mark Travers, a psychologist who writes for Forbes and other publications, named "4 Signs You've Given Into 'Herd Mentality", which I find to be very helpful. Here is an excerpt from his article in Forbes:

1. Self-Doubt Is A Constant Companion

   1. If you’re frequently second-guessing your choices, especially after group interactions, self-doubt may be taking center stage in your life. This persistent uncertainty often signals that you’re relying heavily on others for validation, which can create a cycle of doubt where each new opinion makes you question your own.

2. Fear Of Rejection Or Disapproval Drives Your Decisions

   1. If you find yourself avoiding topics, people or activities to dodge judgment, it may indicate that your decisions lean more toward seeking approval than honoring your own preferences. This need for validation often leads to self-censorship, preventing you from expressing your true thoughts and values.

3. You Feel A Twinge Of Regret After Social Situations

   1. Regret often stems from prioritizing others’ expectations over your own boundaries. For example, you might agree with others to avoid conflict or laugh at jokes that don't resonate with you. Over time, these small compromises create inner tension between your true self and the persona you feel pressured to project, undermining your authenticity and self-confidence.

4. You’re Constantly Keeping Up With Social Trends (Even When They Don’t Interest You)

   1. Social media and peer influence often amplify this pressure, setting unspoken standards around fashion, lifestyle, TV shows and hobbies. You might find yourself buying trendy items, watching popular shows or discussing the latest topics — not out of true interest but from a fear of missing out or feeling out of place. This drive to stay “in the loop” can pull you away from your authentic self, leading to a lifestyle that reflects others’ preferences rather than your own, resulting in emptiness and dissatisfaction.

5. 
   

Whether or not you think we deserve what is happening, it will continue. The boulder is rolling down the hill, collapse has begun, and it is happening worldwide. Whether or not you survive, how much you and the people you love suffer (or thrive) will depend on your strength and your resilience. If you are too afraid to be seen as weird to protect yourself during this transition, then it is more likely that you will not survive it.

"According to Darwin's Origin of Species, it is not the most intellectual of the species that survives; it is not the strongest that survives; but the species that survives is the one that is able best to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself." —Leon C. Megginson

Reference Cited: Travers, Mark. “4 Signs You’ve Given Into ‘Herd Mentality’ — By A Psychologist.” Forbes Magazine, 12 May 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2025/05/12/4-signs-youve-given-into-herd-mentality---by-a-psychologist/ Accessed 28 Sept. 2025