I think it is interesting to consider that whenever their is a cultural shift in opinion, if you were to chart the populations opinion over time, it would look

I think it is interesting to consider that whenever their is a cultural shift in opinion, if you were to chart the populations opinion over time, it would look like a bell curve sliding in the direction of an axis. To what extent are 'extreme' long-tail opinions necessary to shift the center of the bell curve? Which cohorts along the curve have the most influence on velocity of the center point? specific to this example: Premise - Equal treatment of the sexes is a noble goal. - Currently society values women as less to some extent. - An inversion of sexism that places women over men would also be undesirable. - When people fight for a position, they often compromise to achieve progress. Conclusion: - Fighting for equality can only asymptotically approach equality, while never reaching it. - The 'extreme' viewpoints on the long-tail of cultural opinion that women should receive not just equal treatment but unequal benefit from society may be a fundamental requirement for the centroid of the population curve to reach the equality point. I'm not convinced of this idea (or even all the premises), but I think it's interesting. Wondering if anyone could suggest further reading on this subject.