Most people are still followers, which is actually fine in the context of choice and self responsibility. But in a bad system that creates contradictory incentives, the above reality causes terrible long term consequences.
It’s basically true in either context, but in one environment, toxic incentives cause enormous suffering, while in another it enables strong standardization without hampering creativity and change.
(I almost didn’t respond because of your “I can’t believe Lyn Alden renoted this” remark. If you want to add a thought go ahead. But the moralization of casual social interaction and thinking out loud just comes off as entitled and holier-than-thou. Just a suggestion.)