Popularity vs. Truth

The Idea

Contributed by @philhagspiel |  Edited and curated by @philhagspiel

True is not what is popular to believe.

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World View
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Finding Truth

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As humans, want to fit in with those around us. We calibrate our beliefs based on what those around us believe — based on what seems right to believe and based on what seems safe to believe.

However, just because a majority of people believes one thing doesn't make that thing true. Majorities can be wrong and social dynamics can easily create environments in which unpopular truths get repressed.

“The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.”

— Flannery O'Connor

“Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth.”

— Mohandas K. Gandhi

“Truth is not determined by consensus or popularity.”

— Naval Ravikant

Go Deep

  • Watch this short video on the important and highly relevant "Appeal to the People" fallacy.
  • If you want to dive deeper into the concept, gop through this insightful Wikipedia article.

Go Beyond

A few further resources you might like if you find above idea interesting: