It is rare that the public sentiment decides immorally or unwisely, and the individual who differs from it ought to distrust and examine well his own opinion.
- Thomas Jefferson
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Interesting. I usually find that my opinions that differ from public sentiment are precisely the ones that I've examined well.
One example: Most americans think driving fossil fuel burning cars everywhere is good and necessary. Yet they cause great amounts of pollution, they are responsible for 1/3 of America's CO2 emissions, they contribute to obesity, and 35,000 people die every year in auto accidents.
Another example: Coal powerplants, They spew particulate pollution, including radioactive particulates, and tons of CO2. Yet most of us continue to happily use coal power.
I could go on.
There are many cases where the public sentiment is clearly - and dangerously wrong. Some of these cases are very high impact.