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14 Signs You Are an Independent Thinker Who Doesn’t Follow the Crowd

MeganC

Seasoned Member
Real Person*
Female
Here is an interesting article. I did not write this nor do I agree with it all but I still found it interesting and worth sharing.


What is an independent thinker and why is it important to be one in today’s world?

Independent thinking is an increasingly rare phenomenon in our society. Human beings are wired for conformity and herd mentality, and there is a reason for that. Millennia ago, these evolutionary mechanisms helped us survive in the wild prehistoric world.


But even today, in the modern world that is much safer than the ancient one, we still tend to conform to public opinion and follow the crowd. Why? Because it feels more convenient and safe. The majority can’t be mistaken, right?

Yet, in our pursuit of being “normal”, we often fall victims to thinking biases and stereotypes. That’s why someone who is an independent thinker is more likely to have a clear judgment. First of all, let’s explain what it means to be one.

Independent thinker definition​

An independent thinker is someone who makes decisions and draws conclusions based on their own perception and judgment. It is a person who thinks for themselves rather than mindlessly conform to public opinion and other people’s points of view.

Thinking independently means using your critical thinking skills and staying loyal to yourself, even if your opinion goes against that of other people.

Signs of an independent thinker: is this you?​

Now, let’s list a few signs that betray an independent thinker. How many can you relate to?

1. You think critically​

Independent thinking and critical thinking go hand-in-hand. Thinking critically means perceiving and evaluating information without bias and blind belief. It means drawing your conclusions based on evidence.

Independent thinkers always try to view a situation in a critical light, whether it concerns politics, their work, or their personal lives.

2. You always have doubts​

An independent thinker won’t accept things at face value. If this is you, you always leave space for doubt because you know that things are not always what they seem and the truth is rarely absolute.


You are hardly certain about anything, be it the world economic situation, the meaning of life, or your own decisions.

3. You don’t rely on public opinion​

An independent thinker tends to question public opinion, but they don’t do it for the sake of standing out of the crowd. They don’t care to show off and be pretentiously different. But they do care about finding the truth, and this is why they always view public opinion through the prism of critical thinking.

Someone who is capable of independent thought realizes that the majority can be wrong, and popular views and opinions can be flawed.

4. You don’t identify with any particular political or religious views​

An independent thinker is unlikely to be blindly loyal to a political party or a religious organization. Typically, they won’t identify with any particular views. This is because they don’t like squeezing their perceptions into the box of established interpretations.

Even if they do find some specific political or religious views more relatable, they will make sure they don’t give in to blind belief. This is one of the most telling examples of independent thinking.

5. You don’t do things just because you were told to​

Independent thinking means thinking for yourself rather than mindlessly obey orders. That’s why a person who thinks independently is highly unlikely to choose a military or public service career. They will pick a job that will provide a certain degree of freedom.

If you are an independent thinker, you don’t find someone’s bare words or orders motivating enough. You need to see clearly why you need to do something.


6. It’s not easy for someone to impose their opinion on you​

Independent thinkers listen to other people and are willing to consider other points of view except for their own. However, they don’t easily change their minds just because someone else is trying to talk them into their opinion.

No matter how convincing the other person sounds, you want to evaluate all sides of the subject before drawing any conclusions.

7. You don’t do things out of herd mentality or peer pressure​

real people misunderstood fake society


If you are an independent thinker, you have low conformity. It means that you are unlikely to mindlessly do something just because everyone else is doing it.

Even in childhood and teenage years when peer pressure is particularly harsh, an individual who is capable of independent thought tends to question other people’s actions instead of following them without a second thought. Low conformity is a crucial trait of independent thinking.

8. You don’t seek validation​

As an independent thinker, you know what you need to do without getting validation from other people. If you feel that something is right, you will do it even if those around you (or the majority) don’t agree with your choice.

Remember that thinking independently means relying on one’s own judgment in the first place.


9. You don’t have blind trust in authority figures​

Whether it’s your boss, a high-ranking official, or a prominent university professor, you won’t thoughtlessly believe everything they say just because they are authority figures.

You realize that anyone can be mistaken and sometimes people are driven by different intentions than it may seem. In the end, having a high social status or position of power doesn’t guarantee being always right. And it certainly doesn’t equal being a truthful human being.

10. You avoid labeling and stereotypical thinking​

People often fall victim to cognitive biases and stereotypical thought patterns because it’s easier this way. Following the effortless path of mental shortcuts gives them the privilege to not think in depth. But an independent thinker is a different story.

They don’t like anything that limits free thought – be it prejudice, labeling, or cognitive distortions.

11. You always double-check the information​

As an independent thinker, you feel the need to carefully assess all the available information before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.

Whether it’s a work situation or a popular conspiracy you stumbled upon on the web, you double-check everything you hear, learn, or read. You want to be sure that the information you received is factual and objective.

12. You keep your mind open and don’t jump to conclusions​

Open-minded people don't care to be right


It’s easy to hear gossip from a co-worker and jump to a conclusion about your boss. It’s equally easy to watch a shocking story in the news and generalize it to the overall situation in the country.


An independent thinker won’t do that. They always try to keep their minds open because they know that there is usually more than one side of a story. Open-mindedness is one of the most important traits of independent thinking.

13. You prefer ugly truths to pretty lies​

Independent thinking means embracing the truth, even when it’s unattractive and painful. If you have this quality, you don’t shy away from the truth and realize that it may not always meet your expectations.

You are not satisfied with good-sounding half-truths and white lies. You choose to have a clear idea of what’s going on over living in the realm of illusions.

14. You don’t care about what other people think​

When you think independently of other people’s opinions, it also means that you give little importance to their perception of you.

You are not concerned with being liked and accepted. You care more about being an honest and decent human being, even though people may not always share your fascination with the truth.

But you are fine with being misunderstood and even rejected because you know that it’s impossible to satisfy everyone’s expectations.

Why is independent thinking important?​

herd mentality



In our modern age, we are overloaded with information. It’s everywhere – news websites, TV broadcasts, and social media are constantly bombarding us with new stories. Everyone from our parents to high officials is trying to impose their opinion on us.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to separate truths and facts from lies, propaganda, and fakes.

For this reason, practicing independent thinking is more important than ever. The ability to view the information in a critical light, no matter where it comes from – our neighbor or the government – helps you preserve the clarity of judgment.

Thinking for yourself is a great power in our society that is driven by herd mentality and fearful conformity. If you are an independent thinker, I encourage you to not give up even when your opinion goes against the majority.

In the end, being loyal to yourself is what matters most of all.
 
Whoa, this sounds like me!! With a few exceptions, of course. 🌸
 
Interesting article but No, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Cheers

You'll pardon me if I don't kill everyone that I'm told to kill in both Leviticus and Deuteronomy. I'm curious as to what you do with all the bodies? ;)
 
Interesting. I'm inclined to believe the majority of people consider themselves independent thinkers based on self-importance alone. Though I personally believe it's nearly impossible.
 
Am I an independent thinker?
Let me check with my wives, I’ll get back to you…..
 
Here is an interesting article. I did not write this nor do I agree with it all but I still found it interesting and worth sharing.


What is an independent thinker and why is it important to be one in today’s world?

Independent thinking is an increasingly rare phenomenon in our society. Human beings are wired for conformity and herd mentality, and there is a reason for that. Millennia ago, these evolutionary mechanisms helped us survive in the wild prehistoric world.


But even today, in the modern world that is much safer than the ancient one, we still tend to conform to public opinion and follow the crowd. Why? Because it feels more convenient and safe. The majority can’t be mistaken, right?

Yet, in our pursuit of being “normal”, we often fall victims to thinking biases and stereotypes. That’s why someone who is an independent thinker is more likely to have a clear judgment. First of all, let’s explain what it means to be one.

Independent thinker definition​

An independent thinker is someone who makes decisions and draws conclusions based on their own perception and judgment. It is a person who thinks for themselves rather than mindlessly conform to public opinion and other people’s points of view.

Thinking independently means using your critical thinking skills and staying loyal to yourself, even if your opinion goes against that of other people.

Signs of an independent thinker: is this you?​

Now, let’s list a few signs that betray an independent thinker. How many can you relate to?

1. You think critically​

Independent thinking and critical thinking go hand-in-hand. Thinking critically means perceiving and evaluating information without bias and blind belief. It means drawing your conclusions based on evidence.

Independent thinkers always try to view a situation in a critical light, whether it concerns politics, their work, or their personal lives.

2. You always have doubts​

An independent thinker won’t accept things at face value. If this is you, you always leave space for doubt because you know that things are not always what they seem and the truth is rarely absolute.


You are hardly certain about anything, be it the world economic situation, the meaning of life, or your own decisions.

3. You don’t rely on public opinion​

An independent thinker tends to question public opinion, but they don’t do it for the sake of standing out of the crowd. They don’t care to show off and be pretentiously different. But they do care about finding the truth, and this is why they always view public opinion through the prism of critical thinking.

Someone who is capable of independent thought realizes that the majority can be wrong, and popular views and opinions can be flawed.

4. You don’t identify with any particular political or religious views​

An independent thinker is unlikely to be blindly loyal to a political party or a religious organization. Typically, they won’t identify with any particular views. This is because they don’t like squeezing their perceptions into the box of established interpretations.

Even if they do find some specific political or religious views more relatable, they will make sure they don’t give in to blind belief. This is one of the most telling examples of independent thinking.

5. You don’t do things just because you were told to​

Independent thinking means thinking for yourself rather than mindlessly obey orders. That’s why a person who thinks independently is highly unlikely to choose a military or public service career. They will pick a job that will provide a certain degree of freedom.

If you are an independent thinker, you don’t find someone’s bare words or orders motivating enough. You need to see clearly why you need to do something.


6. It’s not easy for someone to impose their opinion on you​

Independent thinkers listen to other people and are willing to consider other points of view except for their own. However, they don’t easily change their minds just because someone else is trying to talk them into their opinion.

No matter how convincing the other person sounds, you want to evaluate all sides of the subject before drawing any conclusions.

7. You don’t do things out of herd mentality or peer pressure​

real people misunderstood fake society


If you are an independent thinker, you have low conformity. It means that you are unlikely to mindlessly do something just because everyone else is doing it.

Even in childhood and teenage years when peer pressure is particularly harsh, an individual who is capable of independent thought tends to question other people’s actions instead of following them without a second thought. Low conformity is a crucial trait of independent thinking.

8. You don’t seek validation​

As an independent thinker, you know what you need to do without getting validation from other people. If you feel that something is right, you will do it even if those around you (or the majority) don’t agree with your choice.

Remember that thinking independently means relying on one’s own judgment in the first place.


9. You don’t have blind trust in authority figures​

Whether it’s your boss, a high-ranking official, or a prominent university professor, you won’t thoughtlessly believe everything they say just because they are authority figures.

You realize that anyone can be mistaken and sometimes people are driven by different intentions than it may seem. In the end, having a high social status or position of power doesn’t guarantee being always right. And it certainly doesn’t equal being a truthful human being.

10. You avoid labeling and stereotypical thinking​

People often fall victim to cognitive biases and stereotypical thought patterns because it’s easier this way. Following the effortless path of mental shortcuts gives them the privilege to not think in depth. But an independent thinker is a different story.

They don’t like anything that limits free thought – be it prejudice, labeling, or cognitive distortions.

11. You always double-check the information​

As an independent thinker, you feel the need to carefully assess all the available information before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.

Whether it’s a work situation or a popular conspiracy you stumbled upon on the web, you double-check everything you hear, learn, or read. You want to be sure that the information you received is factual and objective.

12. You keep your mind open and don’t jump to conclusions​

Open-minded people don't care to be right't care to be right


It’s easy to hear gossip from a co-worker and jump to a conclusion about your boss. It’s equally easy to watch a shocking story in the news and generalize it to the overall situation in the country.


An independent thinker won’t do that. They always try to keep their minds open because they know that there is usually more than one side of a story. Open-mindedness is one of the most important traits of independent thinking.

13. You prefer ugly truths to pretty lies​

Independent thinking means embracing the truth, even when it’s unattractive and painful. If you have this quality, you don’t shy away from the truth and realize that it may not always meet your expectations.

You are not satisfied with good-sounding half-truths and white lies. You choose to have a clear idea of what’s going on over living in the realm of illusions.

14. You don’t care about what other people think​

When you think independently of other people’s opinions, it also means that you give little importance to their perception of you.

You are not concerned with being liked and accepted. You care more about being an honest and decent human being, even though people may not always share your fascination with the truth.

But you are fine with being misunderstood and even rejected because you know that it’s impossible to satisfy everyone’s expectations.

Why is independent thinking important?​

herd mentality



In our modern age, we are overloaded with information. It’s everywhere – news websites, TV broadcasts, and social media are constantly bombarding us with new stories. Everyone from our parents to high officials is trying to impose their opinion on us.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to separate truths and facts from lies, propaganda, and fakes.

For this reason, practicing independent thinking is more important than ever. The ability to view the information in a critical light, no matter where it comes from – our neighbor or the government – helps you preserve the clarity of judgment.

Thinking for yourself is a great power in our society that is driven by herd mentality and fearful conformity. If you are an independent thinker, I encourage you to not give up even when your opinion goes against the majority.

In the end, being loyal to yourself is what matters most of all.
they missed point 15

15. you are willing to accept that Plural Marriage is Biblical.
 
You'll pardon me if I don't kill everyone that I'm told to kill in both Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
Check those instructions and you'll see there are some specifics you will need to have in place. If you kill anyone you will more likely find you will be dealt with as a murderer. Ex. 20:13 You shall not murder.
 
By the time I got to #5 I was laughing at how close this described both myself (in school and employment particularly) - and my most challenging children who take after me the strongest... :)
 
Check those instructions and you'll see there are some specifics you will need to have in place. If you kill anyone you will more likely find you will be dealt with as a murderer. Ex. 20:13 You shall not murder.

Per the Bible it is not murder if you're supposed to kill someone. Like witches, people from other religions, children who disobey their parents, things like that.

It also occurs to me that instead of using modern medicine to treat and cure leprosy the Bible orders us to expel lepers from our cities and to only allow them to return after a priest declares them clean. Again, pardon me if I prefer to simply use modern medicine, cure the illness, and let the person get on with life.

Besides, there are no priests at the Temple anymore.
 
It also occurs to me that instead of using modern medicine to treat and cure leprosy the Bible orders us to expel lepers from our cities and to only allow them to return after a priest declares them clean.
Of course, they didn't have modern medicine. But isolating the sick person from the community, treating them, then bringing them back once an expert declares them cured would be fully compliant with that - and it is exactly how we deal with infectious disease today. There is not necessarily any contradiction between Torah and modern medicine.

Actually, Torah teaches to wash in running water after touching dead people - something surgeons ignored until the 19th century, and only adopted after much controversy. Torah is ahead of its time, not backwards.
 
10 More Signs You Are an Independent Thinker Who Doesn’t Follow the Crowd

1. You didn't wear a mask or get the shot.
2. You walked out the door instead of following the instructions of the Milgram Test director.
3. You know that conspiracy theories are tomorrows news.
4. You've changed your mind on major political or religious issues.
5. You homeschool your children (or want to).
6. You've run your own business.
7. You woke up one day and realized, "Everything I was ever taught was a lie."
8. You are looked at as the black sheep / eccentric one in the family.
9. You've never felt impostor syndrome.
10. The more you learn the more you realize how little you know.
 
10 More Signs You Are an Independent Thinker Who Doesn’t Follow the Crowd

1. You didn't wear a mask or get the shot.
2. You walked out the door instead of following the instructions of the Milgram Test director.
3. You know that conspiracy theories are tomorrows news.
4. You've changed your mind on major political or religious issues.
5. You homeschool your children (or want to).
6. You've run your own business.
7. You woke up one day and realized, "Everything I was ever taught was a lie."
8. You are looked at as the black sheep / eccentric one in the family.
9. You've never felt impostor syndrome.
10. The more you learn the more you realize how little you know.
This is an excellent list, dunning kruger was one of my first eye openers. Glad to say I never participated in politics I mean milgram's experiments. And other than the imposter syndrome, and the aforementioned experiment, they all relate.

Was the imposter syndrome a gotcha? Cause I experience that on the regular.
 
dunning kruger was one of my first eye openers.
A friend of ours used this in a polite way to say I was stupid because I believe in Flat Earth. LOL

Edit:

13. You prefer ugly truths to pretty lies​

Independent thinking means embracing the truth, even when it’s unattractive and painful. If you have this quality, you don’t shy away from the truth and realize that it may not always meet your expectations.
You are not satisfied with good-sounding half-truths and white lies. You choose to have a clear idea of what’s going on over living in the realm of illusions.

14. You don’t care about what other people think​

When you think independently of other people’s opinions, it also means that you give little importance to their perception of you.
You are not concerned with being liked and accepted. You care more about being an honest and decent human being, even though people may not always share your fascination with the truth.
But you are fine with being misunderstood and even rejected because you know that it’s impossible to satisfy everyone’s expectations.
 
Last edited:
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