Fact check: Not marching in lockstep

1. Summary of the results

The phrase "not marching in lockstep" has both literal and metaphorical meanings, with significant historical and social implications. Literally, it refers to a synchronized marching technique that was used in military and prison systems throughout the 19th century ^[1]. Metaphorically, it represents independent thinking and resistance to groupthink, where individuals develop their own perspectives rather than simply accepting prevailing views ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial contextual elements are worth noting:

• Historical Safety Concerns: The phrase has practical safety implications - synchronized marching can cause dangerous structural resonance in bridges, leading to potential collapse ^[3].
• Complex Nature of Nonconformity: Rather than being inherently positive or negative, nonconformity's value depends on its underlying principles and relationship to democratic values ^[4].
• Psychological Dynamics: Groupthink affects various contexts including politics, sports, and cults, where individuals suppress personal doubts to maintain group harmony ^[5].
• Historical Control Methods: Lockstep marching was historically used as a method of control, particularly in prison systems and authoritarian organizations like Nazi Youth groups, before being abolished as dehumanizing ^[1].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The simple phrase "not marching in lockstep" oversimplifies a complex phenomenon:

• Political Oversimplification: Both conservative and liberal groups can fall prey to groupthink, suggesting that no political ideology is immune to conformity pressures ^[6].
• False Binary: The statement might suggest that one must either conform completely or rebel entirely, when in reality, intellectual liberty requires a more nuanced approach of challenging assumptions while remaining open to different viewpoints ^[6].
• Historical Context: Without understanding its historical use as a control mechanism ^[1], the metaphorical meaning might be lost or misinterpreted.

Those who benefit from promoting either conformity or nonconformity include political leaders, social movements, and institutions seeking to either maintain or challenge existing power structures.