So for most of human history a stupid person was better off following an authority figure and I'm sure the instinct is still embedded in people like this. I'll

So for most of human history a stupid person was better off following an authority figure and I'm sure the instinct is still embedded in people like this. I'll ignore the evolutionary argument, but I still think your central thesis is incorrect. Everyone is better off following an authority figure sometimes, because it is rare that you always know enough to make a solid decision purely on the facts. For example, many people rely on PG as a guide for companies to invest in and/or follow. Oddly though this is one area where due diligence can probably reasonably be done. But there are areas where it is more difficult. These fall into a few buckets: 1. Knowledge based. How many people here believe Wiles proved FLT? How many actually understand the proof? How many have taken his word and the word of other mathematicians? Honestly, I haven't even looked at the proof. Frankly, I'm not sure if it would make a difference if I did. It would probably take more five years of actual math training for me to understand it -- and I'm probably in the top 1% in math for the general population. I defer to authority because I frankly don't have the ability to effectively assess it today with my current skillset. 2. Resources. I trust the food I buy at Safeway or Whole Foods is relatively safe. I don't have the resources to test food for various bacteria and such. I rely on authorities who have resources that I don't. 3. Choice. Almost all books I read are recommended by someone I consider an authority. Whether it is a molecular biology book, a book on measure theory, or even which JS book to read -- I read the ones recommended by people who I view as authorities. Sure I could review every book available and then choose one, but it doesn't seem like a good use of time, and furthermore, since I don't know much about molecular biology, I don't really know if the text is even factually accurate. When I buy appliances/electronics I almost always consult the web to find authoritative review sites that strongly guide my purchasing -- especially in areas I know little about, like dishwashing machines. 4. Turtles. At what point must you finally concede to an authority? As I noted I'm reading a book on molecular biology, written by prominent molecular biologists, recommended by a prominent molecular biologist. Do I trust what I'm reading in the book, or do I have a microscope by my side at all time verifying each and every statement I read? "It says that DNA looks like this for every animal, but have they looked at my dog's DNA? Grover!" At some point, for some things, you have to say that it's authorities all the way down