The Gadfly
Plato, in his Apology for the life of Socrates, reminds us that all societies need a “gadfly” of sorts to sting the “steed”—the state—into acknowledging its proper duties and obligations. According to Plato, Socrates said during his trial: “I am the gadfly of the Athenian people, given to them by God, and they will never have another, if they kill me.”
Socrates sure had an ego. But besides the arrogance, the message between lines checks out: societies in all their shapes and sizes need those who can rock the boat and question the state of affairs. Does not need to be someone godsent for sure, but short-fused enough to snap to surrounding nonsense and with the tenacity to say and act.
Uncritical acceptance of the status quo is a big problem. Just like in the 5 monkeys experiment and their infamous “don’t ask me, that’s just how it's always been done”, laying back in eternal dogmatic slumber is harmful for the collective because, then, who’s there to call out half-assed ideas from spreading like ivy? Sure: groupthink is comfy. Or we might be afraid of retaliation. Or, simply, no fucks are given anymore.
But innovation requires a constant dose of fire, polemics and debate. The day no one stings the steed anymore, that day you fall into eternal siesta.