Yes, there is a subtlety though that maybe could be also be effective. In Cantonese there is an expression "唔好攪攪震", something like "don't make trouble". While it is used paternalistically by authority to discourage challenging the status quo it also has a connotation of observing that we can often avoid attracting too much attention to ourselves and thereby be able to achieve what we want without unnecessary friction. Our conviction is strong but we recognise that a head on collision might not be to our advantage. For example, from my observation would Bitcoin adoption be different if it was less vocal about being in an antagonist position against the criminal financial power and the state. Quietly building the infrastructure without the slogan and rhetoric that attracts attention may also be considered. Ice vs water. I'm not sure that that might be too idealistic as I've certainly faced many situations where direct hard confrontation is the only choice. It shouldn't be our first choice though.

It's the pathology that seems to pervade so many peoples, online at least, emotional lives that seems self destructive. I used Bitcoin as an example just for the sake of explanation, not necessarily because I think that problem is particularly evident amongst the bitcoin advocates.

As a side note, many who did keep their heads down lived to finally escape whereas most that resisted were simply imprisoned/killed. That's a whole other area of discussion though as there's nuance there.