this post was submitted on 02 Nov 2024
102 points (87.0% liked)

Showerthoughts

29773 readers
468 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    • 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    • 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    • 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
quinten@lemmy.world
vatlark@lemmy.world
forkball@lemmy.world
Thekingoflorda@lemmy.world
102
Our society has long passed the time during which a single person or writing could change everyone's opinions. (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 weeks ago by Maimas2@lemmy.world to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world
40 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

See, I've been reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine, and it's perfect example of something impossible today.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] Yaky@slrpnk.net 8 points 2 weeks ago

Hype still sells and we still idolize people though. Businessmen such as Steve Jobs or (early) Elon Musk curate an image of themselves as a "genius", which leads to popularity of their products and influences trends and opinions in specific fields.

Really though, no single person did or invented anything alone. Every well-known and highly regarded scientist, inventor, or businessman built their work as a small increment on top of hundreds of predecessors. The Upright Thinkers by Leonard Mlodinow is a good pop-sci book that carries that point throughout.