Why are people so easily led?

Question

I was at the grocery store the other day, grabbing some salad, and this little old lady comes up to me and warns me not to eat spinach because of what happened recently in the news.

I'm like "dude, there were only a few cases of people getting sick, it was a fluke you old retard."

I've thought about this for a while....generally speaking, why are people so easily led?  From easily-disproven scary news stories, marketing schemes, to religion.  People are being lied to and capitalized on.

I know someone will respond sarcastically by saying something about how I think I'm the smartest person in the world.

I'm not, I'm just a normal guy.

I just wonder about stuff sometimes and I want good answers.  Like scientific ones.  Really, why do people follow others so easily?

mustihearthis · Accepted Answer

Hey dude - the jerk store called and they're running out of YOU.  I really hope you are NOT just a "normal guy".  I'd like to think your average human being has a little more respect and decency than you.  Why are YOU so angry and so offended by someone older than you just trying to be helpful or perhaps friendly?

Kristie · Answer

OK, first I do have to scold you for calling an elder a retard. That was not cool, DUDE.

Secondly and more light-heartedly, here's a quote that is so true, even if it is from a comic POV:
"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals and you know it."

People that lack confidence look for leaders. If their leaders are the media, then they believe and follow conspiracy theories, panic news stories, email hoaxes, etc. Confident, self-assured individuals will research and read more about these things and find that the modicum of truth in the stories was stretched thin for sensationalism and interest. I believe that most people enjoy drama -- just look at our popular movies. If it's exciting, even if it's negative, it's attractive. The confident, intelligent person will have things in their lives that are exciting and dramatic on their own. Unfortunately, society thrives on the people that lack confidence and are consumed by their own gullibility and need for guidance and direction.

Anna D · Answer

i suppose normal guys like you wont get led. 
its the same concept as trend setters and trend followers. there are people who look out for the "color of the season". and there are people who do it their style; it looks good and what the hey, two months down the road, you see about a dozen xerox copies.

people just need idols to look up to. something that are better than themselves (in their perspective) and then work in that fdirection. sad fact of Life.

Billy Butthead · Answer

People have an inner desire,something, they generally follow the root that in most advantageous or appealing to them good or bad.
   They need faith even though it is quite illogical!

Rhett B · Answer

I think its because we have so little to believe in these days we are desperate

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Why are people so easily led?

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