The majority of people I've met don't agree with everything I have to say so that tells me that most people think for themselves, or I'm surrounded by very opinionated people or I talk a lot of ... All entirely plausible. It also depends on the situation. Sometimes it's better to conform, like when you're stopped by an officer. You could drive off and be that free thinking rebel if you like but it'll probably get you in trouble. Sometimes its not good to conform either like in the example of bullying - not good to spread rumours and all that stuff.

Just thinking of all the evil people who lead cults and seduce and or oppress their followers- even to the point of group suicides. The terrible example of how people can be so easily lead to believe almost anything.

Without the tools and training cars get wrecked by do it yourself mechanics. So with thinking. need to study logic and philosophy techniques.Edited 14-Apr-22 07:28am

Philosophy learning how to analyse and associated logic are not seen as viable subjects in a study what gets you money quick world. So people learn tables and how to spell but not to think.

I definitely don't follow others but I've had other's follow me specially after I got my drivers licence

If its worth copying then why not? Otherwise go your own way.

Think for yourself but don't be closed to the opinion of others. Don't develop a rigid outlook.

sounds more like politics and political parties to me, all brands included

I'd like to think that people have enough SPINE to think for themselves. If they allow themselves to be open to the ideas of others, so much the better.

I agree with Tekulupa I below. We have to follow God's commands, as outlined in the Bible.

The more charasmatic the leader...the bigger their following.

I like independent media. I have found them to much more honest than the mainstream. We get too much crap thrown at us ...and the gullible believe everything that are told. QUESTION EVERYTHING, AS SOME BRIGHT SPARK ONCE ADVISED!

Well, let's see who follow the sheep in the Australian Election coming up in may?

We all have original thoughts but can be persuaded in other directions

it all depends on the individual - some are sheep some are wolves

BAAAAAAAAA.

I honestly think many people don't even have enough time to research what they are even talking about and just depend on whatever the case being shoved down their throats on a daily basis. I think the way our brains tend to function plays such a large part in it. Negative thinking is extremely easy and there are many reasons to do so, especially when it's encouraged so often by media and those in power. All kinds of chemicals and reactions firing off in our brains. I want to say many people are intellectually lazy but I also think that's oversimplifying the matter and to truly get away from it all you will likely be criticized or just written off as crazy for TRULY living your own little version of reality.

No I think we are all wiser now There are a few insecure people who are followers but most people have their own views & opinions & search for answers

I think ideas is what everyone has but one has to act upon them to make them work do not always be Fowler but a leader

The problem is that most people are like sheep, and the ones that aren't are entirely going in the wrong direction!

The sheep and the goats have always been at odds with each other.

Most people are like sheep and do as they are told by those with no clues.

There is much cognative dissonance about as well as comfirmation bias. Today everyones an expert, yet few really are.

Depends, seems that the 60 and under have been brain washed to be sooks, I dont think most even realise they are repeating what they have been hypotised. looking at the last decade and the BS they believe in and will kill for. First an unknown jab and now the BS about Ukraine, and Ruski... being a Ukrainian I smile at the uneducated in debt university grads...... reallly sad

Today's discussion item certainly makes for verbal activity.

Sadly most people have forgot we all have opinions but that doesn't mean we all have the same opinion no more should we enforce tat opinion on others n vice versa

Most people are sheeple

In many cases yes they do follow the sheepie because they have been brainwashed into believing that they are right and everyone else is wrong. For instance the US Election was won by Trump and could not have been any other way. Then there are others who think independently and they either get chewed and spat out by the Brain Dead Sheepies of like Openhimer make something so destructive it scares the daylights out of the sheepies who add another theory to their conspiracy lists which always keep growing bigger and bigger.

I guess it depends on where you are from. Most Western countries allow people to think for them selves, do as they see fit but we must have rules to follow, rules to live by. In other words laws. A majority live within those laws and of course some do not. Freedom of speech and freedom in general was fought for and we lost many good men at those times. We should honour those who fell and be grateful they gave us our freedom and our country allows us to live the way we like. We can think and do as we please as long as it is in our laws of our land. So no I don't follow and I am not a leader and I allow people to be whom they want to be. I am just me and I can only speak for me. My mind is mine and no one can change that.

Yes

Yes

I think most follow society. I have never been nor will I ever be a follower. I am not a leader either. Unless you count leading myself. I am a loner and have no problem thinking for myself. Most people find my ideas nuts, but I have taken a lot of time to study and sort through a lot of information. I believe the school system teaches kids what they want them to believe as truth even when it isn't. And more times than not I think it is not.

I have been accused of this, as if I have never held my beliefs up to the light and examined them. I know this to be untrue - I am almost 50, and have had ample opportunity in life to question myself and my beliefs. Honestly, I think it depends on the person and what the subject is.

It’s my own idea to follow like a sheep, in fact I love sheep, slow roasted with duck fat potatoes and green beans…..lol

Depends on the person … if an independent thinker then they will look at all the avenues before making a decision

i have always been the "mind of my own" kind of person, sometimes it can get you in a tiff or 2, but you need to stand up for your beliefs, and not mingle around in that herd of sheep,, wolves eat sheep ;-))

Some people, I dare to say those who have no religious connections, can and do think independently. Religion, in my opinion, is the Greatest Curse invented by men to enslave men and women. Check out some of those extremist cults such as the Pentacostal, Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists and others. Step out of line and you are thrown out, question anything to do with their rules and you are thrown out, other family members are forbidden to have anything to do with you - Just how sadistic and Inhuman is that? Children are brainwashed from a very early age, they are either Home Schooled or go to schools which do not permit any questioning of what they are told, their very thoughts are controlled, they are not allowed to think for themselves. They are not allowed to mix with people who are not members of their sect.

People often believe they think independently. But there are so many subconscious, as well as conscious, influences that it's far more challenging than it seems. No matter how hard you try, you live in a complex world of influence

Let them eat sheep

To be able to think, analyze and make your own independent decisions, is a wonderful thing. You must be able to question decisions that are being made on your behalf.We might not all be leaders but don't be a sheep.

It depends on the individual as some prefer to follow and this makes them happy while some are the idea and creative type who tend to move away from mainstream.

That's too general. If you break it down in to groups of people - culture, religion, etc, those of us that live in a western democracy who are given the right to think for ourselves and do what we please, provided we don't break the law, have no excuse. We shouldn't be following others like sheep, because unlike a communist or socialist country, we are not forced to do so.

Baaa! Most do only a few go their own way.Edited 13-Apr-22 10:33am

I walk in present and observe and assess everyone theories much of what I was taught in Sunday school is only a small part of who I am and I refuse to belong to these groups who try to control and interfere in people lives!! science and religion is a hypocrisy they are supposed to be against each other but I have met many scientists and pharmacist who are members of church and from my observations they use them to drug people and manipulate them for control and business practices

Some people cant think outside the square and have to follow, stupidEdited 13-Apr-22 10:12am

It depends on the group. Groups can do a whole lot of good if they co-operate with each other. How many have come up with an idea and with help from other people have expanded on that idea and all together brought it to fruition.

It would be terrible if we did not have an opinion. Just look at the various dictators we have at the moment.

most people follow like sheep and there are some who stand out because of the amazing ideas they have - some do well others don't have the understanding to make a success of their ideas

I would like to think that people can think for themselves.

as social animals we copy others ideas to be accepted. we are all subject to constant propaganda so it becomes hard to determine the facts of a situation and easier to go with the flow...unfortunately

DEPENDS

It depends on the situation. If the other party is right, we will follow. If the other party is wrong, we will not follow. We will have our own ideas.

There is always a black sheep amongts the mob to break up the monotony and for people to mock or pick on.

Baaaaa, Baaaaaa.

I have a lot of my own ideas & people then follow but then get sidetracked and everything gets distorted.

Some lead. Most follow, or wander aimlessly.

Humans have the ability to formulate an idea collectively or individually, the problem is, if an idea is so good, one will spin everything to make that idea permanently theirs or his or hers, and that starts a long drawn outfight or war. Look at what is happening in Europe. Putin's idea to control other countries is very very dangerous., A good idea {personal} benefits you and your family and also benefits your community

Are we a static being or do we constantly move in our ideas and feelings?

Where there is light there is a shadow. To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In all of us there is light and dark . It is how we sort things out and think about it. Action often alters feelings and attitudes . Get involved in something positive can change your feelings lift you up etc

It is a natural social preservation instinct. What is needed is to realise our nature and plan for our logical evolution.

I think some people can come up with their own ideas without people helps than you have some people can't come up with their own ideas that they have to copy others' ideas.

Well they initially said the VACCINES will protect people as much as 90percent or so. So many had the shots and boosters and yet millions still caught the virus. The anti-vaccers were right all along. They locked down our cities for nothing and now we aren't locked down...and the virus is still spreading. So who had the last laugh? Ahahah. Not the people that had the VACCINES.

THE VACCINES HAVEN'T PREVENTED PEOPLE FROM CATCHING COVID. ALSO, HOW MANY HAVE DIED DUE TO COVID? HOW MANY WITH VACCINE RELATED INJURY? People in Australia and elsewhere are coming foreward demanding compo. Coverups about Covid dangers are real. They aren't fake news btw! Do your research better. People tend to believe only mainstream media if they are of the stupid-kind.

Come on man, this is an open ended question. There are 3 types of people. Those who Make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who Wondere what happened!

Definately follow like sheep.

Too many would prefer for others to do their thinking for them.

Unfortunately, people still do not think for themselves and follow instead. How many times have countries gone to war because of propaganda. Look at how many people followed the anti vax movement, or Donald Trump, or anti mask movement etc. A lot of what they espouse is debunked but you cannot deal with illogical people unfortunately. This too can be said about the people who were for these ideas. It is ones perspective. The problem is it is not debated calmly as people bring in violence to try and make another follow their stance calling them names or worse. I hope I think independently but I am sure there are times I too follow. Religious organisations have used their power to control people for 1000's of years and yet those in power do not live by the same rules. Science is learning constantly and have made mistakes it is true. However, following something on blind faith to me is fraught with danger. Too many sheep in this world unfortunately. Propaganda is rife here in Australia at the moment as we are going to vote in May for new leaders. Mostly, we have a few statements or policy promises of "I am going to do this" but too much nasty business ripping each other down using innuendo, falsehoods or finding some sort of dirt or a misdemeanor and just not letting it go and most of it is just absolute rubbish. They treat the voting public as morons mostly. Again though, people just vote for their party without caring if they are better or not than others. Sheep.

We (homo sapiens) still follow social beliefs (aka history REPEATS itself - on an ongoing basis with NOT an end in SIGHT - with tragic results)! Example: Slavery still is in existence - now days it is called human trafficking!Edited 13-Apr-22 14:19pm

There is no doubt many people of younger age groups do follow the sheep. The kids growing up today who follow the SMUG.. KNOW IT ALL, GRETA THUNBERG. Too many of them grow up with restricted ability to think logically. They need to have a leader to follow. Peer pressure is a terrible thing. I don't think much of the millennium groups who get sucked in by all the stupid hype...over things like Climate change, or them lockdowns, etc. They, should use their brain a bit and not get overwhelmed by what they see on TV or their PC, or Social media. We need to have future generations that can INVESTIGATE, AND READ EXTENSIVELY, FOR THE SAKE OF OUR WORLD. The schools fail to give kids that ability. We should be worried!

There are those who come up with ideas themselves and those who follow the majority. Still, there is a saying that goes like this: "There is nothing new under the sun."

Im definitely an independent thinker. I don't care if people don't agree with me..but I can argue over things I think might be right... until the cows come home to MOO! I do get inspired by certain types of people. Some of those might be a bit eccentric..but I like to read and tune into the people that im inspired by. You tend to feel you are on their wave length somehow, even though you haven't met them...you just feel a connection of sorts with them.