I will never understand the concept of gathering up a group to gain an opinion on something. The individual should make h/her own decisions. How can group think expand on something? What if you can't find a group? Do nothing? Inconceivable.

I prefer Cicero to Aristotle, since the Roman philosopher was the first to define human rights as granted by their creator instead of by other men. For the non-religious, Cicero's definitions of rights are simply those we are born with. I admired Marcus Aurelius, but his stoicism was a little dark for me. Thomas Paine was also a favorite, which led me to Edmund Burke and a better understanding of the motives of the Founders of our nation. Nietzsche is one of the most misunderstood philosophers, simply because Hitler so distorted his ideas. Finally, I came to Ayn Rand, and her concept of a truly free individual existence. I'm not a purist, but I like to think my philosophical track has given me a base of independent, confident action, and a streak of rebellion against authority (there were those who wondered how I avoided court martial a number of times in my military career).

Relying on the opinion of others is mental suicide. If all of you opinions are from other people or groups sooner or later you will loose the ability to think and form opinions for yourself. You will become indistinguishable from the ones whose opion you have.
Take the ideas and examine them. Cast them into your thought patterns and other fundamental ideas you hold. If the match make them your own in your own words a meaning shades. If they don't flow with yuour opinions and ideas throw them into the trash heap they belong in. Always think for yourself.

It seems that there are too many people in this country who are sheep or who just follow the groupthink. This is well exhibited by the last election. They follow the Social Democrat party line and believe the fake narrative that is endorsed by general media. My wife and I are staunchly independent and we don't believe either party line.

I went to a high school which was named after Woodrow Wilson. But I considered the place a prison. So perhaps the name of it was appropriate enough. Name a h***lhole after an S.O.B.

"America has been producing a high incidence of young dope users"
I suppose I'm one of them, but I think I produce the country, not vice versa. That's for Soviet Russia.