I learned about the 'lowest common denominator' factor years ago during my psychic training. Basically, the group cannot evolve beyond the lowest common denominator of the group. I explain it this way:

We've all been stuck in traffic. Well, the road and direction you are going with hundreds of others is moving along nicely until...a little old lady gets on the road and drives 10 miles an hour slower than the rest of the traffic. Now EVERYONE slows down. Get it?

How to avoid this 'collective bog-down?' Think for yourself. Do not engage your belief systems with that of the dominant paradigm. Find your own truth. Have the courage to be fully honest with yourself...you CANNOT be honest in the world unless you are first and foremost self-aware enough to be honest with YOURSELF.

What is the dominant paradigm?

Lies, war, death, fear, CONTROL. Shake it off.

NOW is time for us to be fully aware that the choices we make are as simple as FEAR or LOVE, and to carry that awareness into moment to moment decision making processes that influence our response to events in the moment, how we perceive them, etc.

It is not a new-age bullshit trip...it is very simple free will practition. It can be applied to anger and 'negative' emotions without suppressing those emotions in an unhealthy way. Feelings arise...it is how WE CHOOSE to respond to them that is our gift of free will.