irony of independent thought

Are we as a nation, a people, truly capable of independent thought?  Upon childhood, we are instilled with the fear of authority.  First and foremost, we must obey, never questioning those who have our best interests at heart.  As we progress, this pattern of submissive behavior, for many, seems to stick.  It becomes easier to endure life within the safe confines of the mediocre, of being a follower rather than taking initiative to become a leader of others, let alone a leader of our individual thoughts and actions. 

Those who are aggressive enough to assert their voice, belie their critical thought which are subconsciously (for some; however, deliberate for many others) portrayed through actions.  We expose our true intentions, feelings, criticisms in ways that penalize true independent thought, yet at the same time we label those who share our own opinions as "free thinkers."

How can the human race evolve to the next intellectual or social plateaus if we refuse to engage ourselves in empathy (towards others; not always thinking of ourselves as being the victim of prejudice conduct)?  How can we engage in empathy if we willingly close our minds to change, being content with complacency in the conventional?  How can we move forward if we choose to ignore and degrade "rantings" of "lunatics"?

In this sense, we become agents in fostering hostilities, bitterness, anger.  By making fun of people, calling them names, marginalizing opinions that differ from our own, even if they appear, to us, to boarder on the absurd and ignorant, we are making the choice to stifle the legitimate, concerned voices of others.

Perhaps, there are individuals who are unwilling to go beyond the boundaries, the restrictions, that they have placed upon themselves.  Inhibiting themselves from true self-expression, admonishing themselves for taking the risk of deviating from those ideals in which they believe, in which they can have total and complete control.  These ideals have become their norm, a comfort zone, if you will.  Something that can be defined, manipulated, understood.  The way to deal with these people (ah, yes, again... these people... because we are the open-minded ones, aren't we?) is not through admonition or ridicule, but through reason, logic, and proof.  To do otherwise is to enrage, to fan the flames of doubt and fear.

We don't always have to agree with everything we hear, but we should always be willing to listen without the interference of bias.  To ask questions for clarification.  To attempt to be civil in conversation and debate.  Who knows, we may actually learn something that could radically revolutionize our naiveté.