I happen to believe that a few generations ago people used to care a bit more about whatever group they though they belong to (family, clan, institution, corpor

I happen to believe that a few generations ago people used to care a bit more about whatever group they though they belong to (family, clan, institution, corporation...) and a bit less about standing out with their own individual journey. I do not believe this was any better for the truth in general, as indeed in-group/out-group worldview can be a strong incentive to all sorry of lies. Except in those specific cases where one has to pick between truth that's the best interest of the scientific society and falsehood that's the best interest of the ego.