On nonconformism, or why we need to be seen and not herded | Aeon Essays

is professor of humanities in the Honors College at Texas Tech University, and an honorary research professor of philosophy at the University of Queensland in Australia. He is the author of, most recently, In Praise of Failure: Four Lessons in Humility (2023). He is the religion/philosophy editor for The Los Angeles Review of Books, and the founding editor of two book series: Philosophical Filmmakers at Bloomsbury, and No Limits at Columbia University Press. Edited bySam Dresser Brought to you by Curio, an Aeon partner Listen to more Aeon Essays here Have you noticed how, when crossing a busy road, you feel a sudden urge to speed up and melt into the crowd? Whether you are in Rio de Janeiro or Bangkok, New Delhi or New York City, your animal instinct tells you that it is safer to venture as part of a herd than on your own. Fear brings us closer together. The evidence is not just anecdotal. When we are herding, neuroimaging experiments show increased activation in the amygdala area of t

is professor of humanities in the Honors College at Texas Tech University, and an honorary research professor of philosophy at the University of Queensland in Australia. He is the author of, most recently, In Praise of Failure: Four Lessons in Humility (2023). He is the religion/philosophy editor for The Los Angeles Review of Books, and the founding editor of two book series: Philosophical Filmmakers at Bloomsbury, and No Limits at Columbia University Press. Edited bySam Dresser Brought to you by Curio, an Aeon partner Listen to more Aeon Essays here Have you noticed how, when crossing a busy