The beginning of thought is in disagreement - not only with others but also with ourselves.

Most people do not have a problem with you thinking for yourself, as long as your conclusions are the same as or at least compatible with their beliefs.

— Mokokoma Mokhonoana

beliefs brainwashed brainwashing compatibility conclusions conform conformist conformity critical-thinking herd-mentality independent-thinking independent-thought indoctrination nonconformity puppet sheep sheep-mentality

The goal of intellectual life should be to see and understand what is true, not merely to adhere to a prevailing orthodoxy.

— Jeffrey Tucker

critical-thinking freedom indoctrination intelligence liberty rationality self-knowledge

Calling a book 'Young Adult' is just a fancy way of saying the book is censored. People used to say they like to read books about romance, true crime, comedy, horror or science fiction. But these days people simply say they like to read 'Young Adult' books. As if that were a topic. But that's the thing: Young Adult is not a topic, it's a level of censorship. Saying 'I like Young Adult books' is just another way of saying 'I like books that have been dumbed down for children. I like books with no big words and no difficult abstract concepts. Nothing that will strain my brain.' People like to brag that they used to start reading at an early age, as if that were a badge of honor, a sign of intelligence. Nobody brags about when they started to watch TV. But books are being dumbed down so much these days, it's really not a sign of great intelligence when you're a grown up and you struggle your way through Green Eggs and Ham.

— Oliver Markus

abstract-thinking book books censoring censorship comedy critical-thinking green-eggs-and-ham horror intelligence science-fiction ya young-adult young-adult-fiction young-adult-literature

All your thoughts, imagination, feelings, emotions and sensation are part of the mechanical process that can be understood, at the state of self-realization.

— Roshan Sharma

critical-thinking eastern-religion emotional-intelligence psychology spirituality

One of the most important things one can do in life is to brutally question every single thing you are taught.

— Bryant McGill

critical-thinking doubt education learning questioning reason skepticism why

...This cryptic game of hide-and-seek is what makes it one of the greatest historical mysteries. So many of the symbols can be interpreted in so many different ways, there's always the possibility that all we're really looking at is a blank slate onto which anything can be read.