# Sensitive Topics Thread (2025-04-12)

If you are not from India, you might not find this post as helpful.
For info on how values differ, please see: Disclaimer on value differences.

Freedom of Speech

I live in India. My background:

Upper-mid class
College-educated
Net worth: $20k to $100k

This may limit what I can say. Some topics are touchy:

Criticizing people near me
Criticizing religion or leaders, plus related issues like dating or caste
Criticizing political parties in India
Criticizing India
And so on

All my views on these areas are in this single post. After this, I will not raise them again. I might use made-up names for caution.

No Movements, Please

Change in society needs 10% of people to see that others in that 10% also want the same change. This is “common knowledge.” But:
I do not want to lead any cause on topics here.

Site Goals:

Find good research partners, get good feedback
Share info

Not Goals:

Make “common knowledge” or start a political push

Rule of Law

Safety of body, items, and ties needs a culture that guards them. Law officers come from our culture. If most people feel you do not deserve safety, police alone cannot help you.

Food and water are simpler now. But many still feel unsafe. Fear causes more fear. If group A fears group B, group A may not support fair law for group B. Then group B seeks other ways to stay safe, and both sides feel more fear.

When people feel unsafe, they can become less kind and open. Over many years, this can get worse, as parents pass fear to kids. If you benefit by making others feel unsafe, think if it is worth it. The harm can last after you die.

Try to protect all people’s safety no matter their beliefs. Work for a fair system that helps all.

Individualism

I am quite individualist. I make my own life choices. I think some people might like this style too, though it is not for all.

My class status helps. I have enough money not tied to others. Also, people around me do not depend much on me, so my mistakes do not ruin them.

Why I Prefer This

No one likes being controlled
- We prefer to follow by choice, not fear.
- We can set our own limits with each other.
- I want free, willing bonds with others, not forced ones.
- Long-term deals can still be free if both sides agree.
- But if your group wants to rule you and you want out, maybe you can break away.
8 billion people on Earth
- Odds that your close group has the best wisdom is almost zero.
- You can learn from many folks.
- Be picky about whose path you copy. Check their real-world results.
- If your role models are not living how you want to live, think for yourself.
- Exposure to new books and people helps shape your thoughts.
Approval and disapproval matter a lot
- What your friends and family think often guides you more than money or habit.
- If you pick your circle with care, you can shape your own mind.
- Fear of disapproval can be big, so watch what your friends hate or mock.
- See Asch’s tests on group pressure.

Dealing with Abusive Situations

(I am no expert. Seek real help if you face abuse.)

To leave someone’s control, you need:

Money or savings not in their hands. If you lack this, make it your top goal.
Moral stand that you are not their property.

Most abuse is mental “war,” not real war.

Believe you are free, and their hold weakens.
Non-violence can keep your sense of right.
If they threaten force, it might be a bluff.
Even if harmed, one month in hospital can be better than decades as a slave.
If they might kill you, then move carefully. Seek allies. You do not have to be “fair” to them. Life is short. Do what you must to be free.

Cosmopolitanism

I love mixing cultures. If you like this, try to meet people from other lands or faiths—online, or by travel, or by meeting visitors.

Why?

Real friends tell you things you do not get from social media or big news.
You see real people, not myths in your head.
Maybe fewer wars or gaps if more of us had global friends. But even for you alone, it can be great.

Religion

I am an atheist. I try to be open to other faiths, but we may avoid some topics to stay cordial. I wish more people were atheist, but I do not push it. We can still get along if you are religious.

Choosing your faith is a big deal. Do not just pick the faith you were born in. Study and reflect.

If you want to explore, read various holy texts, also read works that differ from each other.
A possible intro to atheism is here.

Why I Lean Atheist

I have looked into many subjects:

Biochemistry, genomics, quantum theory
Determinism and the mind
Occam’s razor
Carbon dating, big bang
Universe expansion
Morality from evolution
Psychology and so on

I still want to read more: holy texts, cosmic background radiation, more brain science, etc.

Good sides of atheism might be:

Help others find truths that last.
Help society grow, since open science allows new inventions.
Avoid unsafe cures not tested well.
Boost your critical thinking by learning to stand against group pressure.

Downsides could be:

Gap with those who do not share your views.
Less trust in others’ beliefs.
More stress when you see how random life is.
Harder to count on “fate” or “karma.”
More confusion on right and wrong.
Realizing the world is often unfair.
Feeling less content with your current life.

If you just left religion, be kind to yourself while you figure out what you believe. It took me years.

India’s Economic Growth

I do not favor one nation’s growth over another’s. But if you want more growth in India, here are two big ways:

Zero-to-one research
- Needs a culture that supports atheist thinkers, plus big funding.
- Top labs form in a few key spots. We need at least one such hub here.
- We need some folks to have enough money to think for themselves.
Copy-paste global ideas
- Already happening.
- Strong law and respect for personal rights help markets grow.
- A freer market helps, plus skilled regulators.
- Foreign firms can help build big projects. If local people learn from these, that is good. We just need fair terms so we do not drown in debt.

Thank you for reading. Feel free to share feedback or thoughts.