The power of dissent

One of the (many) implications of cancel culture is the rise of conformity. In a society where you can't question or provoke, the default is to adhere to consensus. The risk of this culture, as proposed by author Todd Rose, is the establishment and maintenance of norms that do not necessarily accurately reflect public consensus.

People go along with the group view because they believe that most people agree with it. And, by doing so, themselves uphold and perpetuate this view - a collective illusion. It's only when we challenge these assumptions do we start to see new solutions, new approaches and new ideas arise.

So what?

If we truly want to unlock the power of innovation to change society, we need to challenge our collective illusions and question the traditional approach of top-down solutions. Individually we need to start practicing positive dissent and challenge conformity.

As Colum Lowe said at the Future of Ageing safari, "There is no normal. So stop designing for it."

We at Good Futures love this short 5 minute video from Todd Rose that encourages us all to think and design differently. "We need to catch ourselves from our natural tendency to go along with the group and we need to speak up with innovative ways to change and make progress."