The Four Quadrants of Conformism (paulgraham.com)

Article summary

The article discusses how people often claim they would have been abolitionists if they had lived in the South before the abolition of slavery, but this is unlikely as most people conform to the norms of their social group. The article explores the concept of conformism and how it can be aggressive or passive. The author argues that people tend to overestimate their own independence and willingness to challenge social norms. The article also touches on the idea that true individuality is rare and that people often conform to the norms of their group, even if they think they are being independent.

Main themes

• conformism
• individuality
• social norms
• free speech
• political correctness
• group cohesion

What commenters say

• Some commenters argue that people can be both conformist and independent depending on the context and issue at hand.
• Others suggest that conformism is necessary for group cohesion and that individuals who claim to be independent may actually be conforming to a smaller group.
• There is disagreement over whether certain individuals, such as Jordan Peterson, are truly open-minded and independent or if they are simply conforming to a different group.
• Some commenters believe that the article is criticizing progressive values and political correctness, while others see it as a genuine exploration of conformism and individuality.
• The idea that people are context-dependent and can change their behavior radically in different contexts is also discussed.
• Some argue that the article's concept of aggressive conformism can be applied to the phenomenon of cancel culture and the suppression of free speech.
• Others counter that the article's critique of conformism can be seen as a critique of social justice movements and progressive values.