think about it

 We have all heard the excuse, everyone was doing it. That was especially popular when your parents questioned your choices. We were then encouraged to do some critical thinking. If everyone else jumped off the roof, would you do that too? Yes, the question was rhetorical. You knew the expected answer, the correct response. There just was no other response that would satisfy the one asking the question. So, you complied. You gave the obligatory answer. You also begrudgingly had to admit to yourself that the choice you had made wasn't the best choice. Sure, you were cool with the crowd, but you also knew better than that. You were often reminded of that as well; you knew better than that. Makes you wonder why you chose what you did in the first place. Was it worth the momentary popularity? Yes, it seemed like it might be at the moment you make that decision. Then you had to answer another question, what were you thinking? The answer always was, I wasn't. That's the truth of the matter, you weren't thinking you were simply reacting.

  It appears to me that a lot of people are simply reacting these days. The excuse today being everyone is believing that. It's the only explanation I can think of for the choices some folks are making. They are reacting to all the doomsday scenarios being presented by the mainstream media and social media sites. Covid was going to wipe out all of humanity if we didn't comply, wear our masks, shelter in place and get injected with an experimental formula! Hey, everybody said so. The cows are farting too much and destroying the ozone layer. Our cars are emitting way too much carbon, we need to switch to all electric vehicles. Everyone says so, especially those with financial interests in lithium mining and other green energy sources. And those rich people are smart! Yeah, the wealthy should share more of their wealth with us stupid people, that's only fair, and we will buy their products and services. It's a real win-win situation. 

 There are currently fourteen vaccines recommended by age 18. Then there are optional ones as well. If you don't get those recommended vaccines you can't go to school, you are a public health risk and will most likely die! Hey, every medical professional says so. And now I'm feeling a little depressed, sad even, and I probably have depression. I need to take medication for that and/or therapy sessions are recommended. I'm engaging in aberrant behaviors but everyone else should support me in that choice, everyone is doing it. The only ones causing all the trouble as the ones questioning any of this. Those people are thinking! You aren't supposed to think about that stuff, just react to it. Be a good citizen and simply do as you are told. If you don't, the weight of the government will come down on you. Lockdown for you! 

 Just knock it off! What are you trying to be, independent? Only radicals want independence you know, the proof of that lies in the very history of our nation. A revolution took place. What was the driving force behind that revolution? Taxation without representation is tyranny. Remember that catch phrase from ninth grade history? Yes, it was those rich people, in that case the King, that was demanding our money. We thought about that for a while before deciding to just say no. We figured we could do a lot better independently of that government. So, we formed a Republic. Franklin said so when asked and included this caveat, if we can but keep it. Seems to me it is slipping away, and everyone says, but everyone is doing it. Yeah, it is easy to go along with the popular opinion, the safe choice where others do not question you. Thing is, you really should be thinking about that before you just go along with the crowd. It is always too late when you have to respond with: I guess I wasn't thinking.