What does this quote mean? "Our desire to conform is greater than our respect for objective facts"?

Question

We need to write an essay and defend, challenge, or qualify it. And I dunno what it means...so i can't write it really.

Answer 1

It means that people want to fit in so badly that they don't care about logic or their own thoughts.

That's the simple version of it.

"to conform" means to submit to being the same as everyone else. "objective" means unbiased. this is the opposite of "subjective" which means based on opinion.

An example of conformity is in the 1950s, when everyone had the same kind of house, drove the same car, had the same white collar job, same haircut, etc.

And i suppose you could use modern gangs and colors, and how a lot of girls think they have to wear makeup like everyone else to be attractive.

i hope that helped!

Answer 2

"Desire to conform"  means we want to be just like everyone else

"objective facts" means the truth, the real truth, with supporting evidence"

When you put those two together, it means that we want to be like everyone else, even when the truth tells us we should NOT be like everyone else.

An example:  You are 15, and spending the night at your friend's house.  Except she didn't tell you her folks would be out of town.  Six other kids your age show up and your friend pulls out the alcohol...you know the rules, you know your mom will kill you, you know it is illegal...but everyone else is drinking...

Do you want to "fit in" more than you want to do what is right?  If you decide to drink, you have just illustrated that the above quote is true.  You have just decided that the desire to conform is greater, or more attractive to you, than the objective facts, that it is illegal, immoral, and your Mama will beat your heiny!