Why are people that think "outside the box" usually ridiculed and despised?

Question

these free thinkers are most often the target of bullies, and social rejection untill they produce an item, discovery, or system that revolutionises the very society that rejected them.

Answer 1

It's a baseball term. It came from when a batter would step out of the box to contemplate facing the next pitch. Of course, it became a mainstream term referring to thinking the situation differently. Sometime thinking "outside the box" is meant to be complimentary to clever thinkers, or, batters so to speak.

Answer 2

Peope who think "outside the box" are usually ridiculed because the average person can't tell the tell the difference between the socially approved belief-system (whatever it may be) and Reality. When they hear a new idea, they automatically assume it's either evil, stupid, or crazy. From that reaction, it's a short step to judging that the person who conceived the new idea must be either a criminal, a retard, or a mental patient......

Answer 3

Because those in positions of power based upon the old concepts, will never willingly relinquish their stature for ideas that replace themselves.

Isn't it sad how we adhere to 'legends' rather than support a more reflective study of the same subjects? Socrates taught his students (male and female) to reflect upon everything and question all. Unfortunately for him (or fortunately for us) that included one's own government. Hence his need for hemlock.

"Theories have four stages of acceptance:
i) this is worthless nonsense;
ii) this is an interesting, but perverse, point of view.
iii) this is true but quite unimportant.
iv) I always said so."
- J.B.S. Haldane, 1963

I have experienced this so many times. For instance the Bush administration. Now suddenly all the people that argued with me over their support of it, now suddenly say they never liked him anyway. It makes my jaw drop open. They do not even 'remember' the arguments they used to make supporting it. It's like they have been hit with hysterical amnesia.

"All great truths began as blasphemies" - George Bernard Shaw"

To conclude, This above all else, To Thine Own Self, be True. (Shakespeare)

Answer 4

The three stages of truth:

1. Ridicule
2. Violent opposition
3. Acceptance

Answer 5

Simple, free thinkers scare those that need to be told what to think. People tend to ridicule and despise that which they do not understand.

Answer 6

Emily Dickenson poem.

MUCH madness is divinest sense
To a discerning eye;
Much sense the starkest madness.
’T is the majority
In this, as all, prevails.
Assent, and you are sane;
Demur,—you ’re straightway dangerous,
And handled with a chain.

society is set. and once it is like that people want to keep it that way.

Answer 7

what else are human beings going to do with their spare time but chop down people who are a threat to the survival of the past!

Answer 8

Because we're different, and we all know that average people don't like differences. That's just a fact.

Answer 9

Because we're different! Nobody likes nonconformists.

Answer 10

Yet, society wants people to be dynamic and alternative thinkers.

it seems crazy