Breaking Free from Popular Opinion

Opinions can guide us gently like a tranquil sea or be as destructive as a tsunami. Our ability to discriminate between beneficial and harmful opinions is crucial. By staying open to new possibilities instead of blindly following popular opinions, we pave the way for a more productive and satisfying life. 

In today's world, we are inundated with opinions from all sides. However, it is crucial that we do not allow these opinions to unduly influence our thinking. Often, opinions reflect the views of influential individuals or groups, but influence does not equate to correctness. It takes courage and conviction to think independently and not simply follow the crowd.

In the autism space, well-meaning professionals continue to adhere to misconceptions.  For example, just over two decades ago, it was believed that children diagnosed with autism would inevitably end up institutionalized. Parents were advised to send their children away before they grew attached, under the misguided belief that autistic children could not reciprocate affection, show emotions, think rationally, or learn meaningfully. Even now, the autism space is flooded with misconceptions. And the more impacted an autistic is, the more entrenched is the misconception about their capability and inclusion. 

But the fact of the matter is that NO ONE is an expert on autism, even those who may have extensive credentials or degrees. Else we would have seen many autism solutions by now, instead of just more 'experts' with degrees.

This does not mean that all opinions are harmful. Like the sea, they can be tranquil and beneficial or destructive like a tsunami. The human mind has the capacity to discern between constructive and destructive opinions. By being open to new possibilities rather than blindly following prevailing opinions, we can navigate our way to a more productive and fulfilling life

History is full of examples where prevailing opinions were challenged. Gandhi’s unique non-violent approach not only led to India's independence but also inspired leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Galileo's heliocentric views were condemned yet, Stephen Hawking says of him, “Galileo, perhaps more than any other single person, was responsible for the birth of modern science.” Consider Hippasus, who discovered irrational numbers and faced death for challenging the belief that all numbers could be expressed as ratios of integers. His discovery was so shocking to the Pythagoreans of his time, that they allegedly drowned him. This tragic story illustrates the resistance that change can face when they challenge deeply held beliefs.

The people we admire and respect—those who have changed the world—often chose to defy conventional wisdom. The Wright Brothers did not accept the belief that man could not fly, and Thomas Edison persisted with his inventions despite skepticism. A mind free from the constraints of prevailing opinions is more open to possibilities, leading to creativity and discovery.