I choose silence often because I fear disapproval. • The desire for approval goes back as far as the tribe and evolutionarily speaking has played quite a role in our survival instincts as a species. • This dynamic of psychology has effects on both the ways that we extend or reserve our selves. Disapproval from the tribe could lead to unnecessary criticism, alienation, lowered sense of social connection, and a potential decrease in access to resources. • Dunbar’s number is a research based theory extracted from anthropology that suggests human brains have evolved to only maintain about 150 social relationships with any degree of stability. The closer the relationship; the lower the number. • Existing today means you are subjected to our mass culture in some way or another. Ideas, art, and people only gain traction and popularity by the thousands and millions. Our exposure to one another has dramatically increased to the point that we can easily feel the need for approval from everyone on these mega platforms but that need is no longer based in truth. • There are two sides to the coin. In reality we no longer need to watch what we say or do so closely because we can likely still find connection outside of the immediate “tribe.” This doesn’t mean that one can act any way and not expect to feel the repercussions of those actions but I think it’s important to recognize where these fear responses are rooted and that we can indeed choose to express ourselves rather than become a pushover and agree with the consensus. • #15FearChallenge #SpeakYourTruth