Norms are defined by how well they stand the test of time. For example, marriage is a pretty good norm that has demonstrated value to spouses, children and surr

Norms are defined by how well they stand the test of time. For example, marriage is a pretty good norm that has demonstrated value to spouses, children and surrounding society over centuries. Critical theory is a questionable norm because it has not demonstrated long term value to a single society or organization where it was adopted. This does not mean that all established ideas are good and all new ideas are bad. At the other extreme, completely unchangeable norms such as Sharia Law or US constitution (unchangeable in practice giving current political climate) get in the way of reasonable innovation and adaptation to changing circumstances. Still, it should be easy to challenge or ignore newly minted norms, while ones that stood the test of time should be difficult to change, change should be gradual if it happens and reversals of changes that do not seem to work out should be commonplace. One way a change can happen is intentional communities that do not impose their experiments on others. If the ideas are viable, communities will grow and eventually achieve social dominance. If not, only people who volunteered for the experiment are harmed.