Group Think

The concept of group think has been on my mind lately in both positive and negative ways. The definition of Group Think according to dictionary.com is "the lack of individual creativity, or of a sense of personal responsibility, that is sometimes characteristic of group interactions." The positive being how when I surround myself with people that I love, respect, and have an open mind set. The negative, being around people that don't allow anything but the "one and only" way to think; or just being around people that are constantly negative because your thoughts will turn that way.

"There is no one right way to live." My mother always tells me and the same goes with thought, though the two tend to go together. For most of my life the best way to learn was a sharing of knowledge. To discuss, ask, ponder, and try to understand. No one ever has to agree but you always allow for diverse opinions. So the question now becomes: how do you discuss or question in a culture were there is "one right way", and things are getting to a point where you are not allowed to discuss? Allowing the next generation to only interact with one type of group think is detrimental to the progression of the world culture.

Bhutan is one of my current favorite example of a country so inthralled with its past culture but is now opening the door to others. Social media outlets have allowed communication to help change the course of government in places like Egypt. No all people want to change which is great, if it ain't broke don't fix it. The concept of not allowing those around you to do as they please, or give them the opportunity to explore is baffling. In my book we should all get a Rumspringa of sorts.

So this has led me to ask:
Why don't people want a Rumspringa (for lack of a better term)?
Why do people force a type of groupthink on those who don't know any better?
Why do people hide others from a potential exploration of the world around them?