"الأرثوذكسية تعني عدم التفكير وعدم الحاجة للتفكير الأرثوذكسية هي اللاوعي"

The essence of the quote is all about mental complacency. When you blindly follow set beliefs or traditions without questioning or thinking critically, you're essentially operating on autopilot. You’re not actively engaging with ideas or seeking to understand the world in a deeper way. It’s like falling asleep at the wheel of your own mind, letting others do the steering.

This idea has roots in George Orwell’s “1984,” a novel that’s all about the dangers of totalitarianism and how it can squash individual thought. When Orwell talks about orthodoxy, he’s warning against the unthinking acceptance of authority. In the extreme society he describes, orthodoxy is a tool used to control people, keeping them in a state where they don’t even realize they need to think for themselves.

Imagine you're at a company where the norm has always been to do things a certain way because "that’s how we’ve always done it." Nobody questions the processes or looks for improvements. This kind of environment stifles innovation and growth. Now, picture a new employee who comes in and starts asking questions. “Why do we use this system? What if we tried a different approach?” Suddenly, people start thinking again and considering alternatives. That’s breaking away from orthodoxy.

Here’s a concrete example: Think of the tech industry—specifically, the rise of Apple under Steve Jobs. Before Apple revolutionized the smartphone with the iPhone, the industry standard was clunky, physical keyboards and a pretty static user interface. Most companies were satisfied with minor, incremental improvements. They weren’t challenging the status quo. Jobs and his team asked, “Why can’t a phone be more like a computer, but easier to use?” They broke away from orthodoxy and created something that redefined the entire market.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by questioning the norms around you. Are there practices at work, traditions in your family, or even personal habits that you follow without thinking? Challenge them. Ask why they exist and if there’s a better way. This doesn’t mean you should reject everything outright, but rather, give yourself the freedom to think critically and make informed decisions.

Picture this: You’re at a family dinner, and the conversation turns to a topic where everyone just agrees with what’s always been said. Instead of nodding along, you ask, “Why do we believe this? Is there another perspective?” It might make for some uncomfortable moments, but it also sparks deeper conversations and can lead to greater understanding.

By not falling into the trap of orthodoxy, you open yourself up to new ideas and growth. It’s like waking up from a long, unthinking slumber—suddenly, the world is full of possibilities and opportunities for discovery. So, keep your mind active, ask questions, and don’t settle for unconscious acceptance. Think of it as giving your brain a good stretch, just like you’d stretch your muscles before a run. It keeps you agile, aware, and ready to face the world with a fresh perspective.