https://www.actualized.org/forum/topic/79195-magic/?page=29#comment-1424088

How Socialization Makes You Stupid - Problems With Conformity & Group-Think

https://youtu.be/gaI1OXly7EE

"The supreme lesson of any education should be to think for yourself and to be yourself; absent this attainment, education creates dangerous, stupefying conformity." - Bryant McGill

Just sit alone in a room and think.

• The Dangers of Conformity and Groupthink: Leo Gura discusses the serious impact conformity and groupthink can have on the mind, especially when it comes to socializing. He addresses the topic with a provocative title to stress its importance, drawing from his recent experiences of intense socialization and the realizations he's had about its effects on his thinking and values.
• Contrast Between Socialization and Personal Values: Gura identifies a conflict between socialization and his highest values, including authenticity, original thinking, and truth. He notes the pressure to conform to social values and fears this might lead to groupthink, despite recognizing that socializing can be done without betraying oneself if approached consciously.
• Hidden Costs of Socialization: Acknowledging the benefits of socialization, Leo also warns of unseen costs, such as the energy and effort required to maintain authenticity while socializing. He expresses concern that excessive socialization can pull individuals into a "hive mind of stupidity," suggesting even successful and smart individuals, like scientists and CEOs, are not immune.
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• Original Thinking and Intellectual Effort: Leo highlights that original thinking is a laborious process that few undertake, including intellectuals. He reflects on the ease felt when not engaging in intellectual labor and the significant work required for genuine original thoughts.
• Accessing Higher Levels of Intelligence: Gura explains his goal to help others reach extraordinary levels of consciousness and intelligence, which he links to avoiding conformity and groupthink. He shares his personal journey of intellectual development through solitude and avoiding the intellectual limitations of socializing.
• Trade-Offs of Intellectual Development with Socializing: Discussing the historic tendencies of intelligent men to be isolated figures, Leo explores the idea that socializing can impede original thought. He also notes a gender difference in socialization patterns, suggesting that societal norms may render women more susceptible to groupthink due to survival and reproductive strategies that favor being social.
• The Intellectual Cost of Social Energy: There are direct and indirect costs to socializing, including the time and energy that could be spent engaging in intellectual pursuits. Leo remarks that socialization can draw one to average intellectual levels of the group, which can be alarming if the group lacks desire for higher consciousness or spiritual development.
• Social Circle and Intellectual Stagnation: Being in a social circle with successful people like CEOs and PhDs does not necessarily prevent intellectual decline. Socializing can lead to groupthink and a reduction in original thought, regardless of the people involved.
• Trade-Offs of Socializing: Leo suggests that one must be aware of the trade-offs between socializing and pursuing solitude for intellectual endeavors. He encourages making a conscious choice about how much to socialize based on individual values and life stages.
• Finding a Personal Balance: Individuals vary in their preferences for social interaction and intellectual pursuits. Finding a personal balance between the two is essential and may shift at different life stages to achieve different goals.
• Consequences of Excessive Socialization: Social conditioning intensifies with increased social interaction, leading to a mindset that mirrors the beliefs of those around rather than fostering originality due to limited time and mental space for independent thought.
• Team Dynamics vs Individuality: Working in teams necessitates compromise, potentially leading to a loss of individuality. While teamwork achieves goals unattainable alone, it also comes with the cost of self-sacrifice, which might not always align with one's values and priorities.
• Self-Sacrifice and Conformity: Engaging in group activities can create pressure to conform, potentially leading to sacrificing one's authentic self and values. Aligning with a group runs the risk of involvement in low-consciousness activities and can stifle deep intellectual capacity.
• Differentiating Success from Intelligence: Success from social savvy and manipulation is often mistaken for intelligence. However, according to Leo, true intelligence isn't about societal success but about deep understanding, which can be obscured by the focus on social gains.
• Reflecting on Uniqueness and Non-Social Influence: Leo attributes his intellectual achievements and the uniqueness of his work to his lack of socializing, which allowed him to avoid mainstream groupthink and develop independent thought.