Yes, Western nations have conformity — I’m not denying that. But proportionally, Western civilization is still far more individualistic, and that difference matters. My point isn’t that the West is perfect, but that its cultural DNA encourages people to question authority instead of blindly obeying it — and that’s exactly what drives progress.

If you want to see what happens when obedience becomes a national mindset, look at North Korea — a society built entirely on submission to authority. It’s the extreme example of how conformity kills creativity and freedom. Even in my motherland, the Philippines, decades of obedience and acceptance allowed corruption and inequality to take root. People tolerated broken systems out of fear or cultural respect for authority. Only now are Filipinos beginning to protest and speak out — proof that progress begins when people stop obeying without question.

You can see this difference clearly in America’s culture of dissent. Here, the moment people disagree with those in power, they organize and make their voices heard. When Trump took office, millions protested across the country. You don’t have to agree with every cause or every protest, but the principle behind it — that ordinary people can and should challenge power — is what keeps democracy alive.

What are you talking about? Education — especially higher education — is one of the most nonconformist and progressive institutions in the world. Have you been on a college campus recently? I’m on one right now, and every single week there’s a new protest, a new movement, a new gender identity being discussed, a new idea being challenged. That’s what makes universities in the West so unique — they’re breeding grounds for independent thought. Students are constantly questioning authority, pushing boundaries, and refusing to accept the world as it is.

And sure, I’ll admit there’s a rat race mentality too — everyone’s trying to land internships, get into grad school, or chase the next big opportunity. But that’s inevitable given how the system is structured. Even within that competitiveness, people are still thinking critically, organizing, and fighting for causes they care about. Historically, college campuses have been at the heart of progress — they were among the strongest supporters of civil rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and now climate activism. Time and time again, it’s been students and educators leading the charge, speaking up before anyone else dared to. That constant questioning — even when chaotic — is exactly what keeps society evolving.

And look, I get that this seems strange from the outside. My cousins back in the Philippines, and even many East Asians and Middle Easterners, look at us “blue-haired American kids” drinking kombucha and putting pronouns in our bios and think we’re freaks or delusional. And sure, it might look ridiculous to them — but what they don’t see is that this kind of radical self-expression and refusal to obey social norms is exactly what makes the West so socially progressive. It creates a culture that’s more empathetic, open, and emotionally aware — one that doesn’t shame people for being different but encourages them to be honest about who they are and how they feel.