True open-mindedness isn’t about rejecting the mainstream by default. It’s about being willing to listen, challenge your own beliefs, and engage with ideas—even the uncomfortable ones.

But if your version of “question everything” means silencing or ridiculing those who disagree with you, then you’re not questioning—you’re just replacing one form of dogma with another.

It’s ironic how some who claim to stand for “free thinking” react with anger and mockery when faced with differing opinions. They’ll dismiss experts as “sheep,” reject facts that don’t fit their narrative, and shout down anyone who dares to challenge them—all while claiming to fight for open debate.

Sound familiar? Today, we see experts dismissed, ideas silenced, and people afraid to speak for fear of backlash. Not because a government demands it, but because a culture of outrage does.

When we stop engaging with difficult ideas, we don’t need book burnings. Minds burn all on their own

In Fahrenheit 451, Captain Beatty warns Montag that society didn’t need oppressive governments to force censorship—it chose it. People wanted simple, happy, unchallenging content. Books became dangerous because they made people uncomfortable. Too many opinions, perspectives, & complexity.

Have you read any of the books for the Foundation?

FAM I love. I really like the expanded timespan.
Foundation. S1 have me some concern but S2 I really got into. I loved the books more though. I read them all, and IRobot, back to back. I devoured them lol.

I guess thst is another author to add to my never ending list :-)

Looks like an interesting read