In some recent reading of mine (Think on these things by Krishnamurti) the author talks about the 'Flame of Rebellion' that arises in some youth, and how this feeling, this passion to reject the status quo and build a better society gets lost as one ages, especially once someone has children. The essence of his argument is that the more interest you have vested in a way of life, the less open you are to any change to that way of life.
In thinking about this I've realized that my best friend of many years, has lost his flame. This man is my best friend, a brother to me in all things but actual biological relation, and he's fully bought into the system. (It helps his mother works for a US Senator I suppose) He believes, for example, that the current leaders of this country, the P.O.T.U.S. , Congress, etc, are effective representatives of the will of the nation. When I brought up that when many other developed countries representatives fail them in the way that ours did, they fire them all immediately and hold new elections, he thought it was absolutely insane, and laughable. This is just one example but its indicative to his whole way of thinking. In this realization that he has 'sold out' I've noticed it more and more in close friends and co-workers, that very few people actually believe the world could be better.
There are days when I honestly wish I had been born a little dumber. That I hadn't read so much as a child. That I was just a bit less perceptive so that I could just buy painlessly into the system, find an 'adequate' job, marry and 'adequate' spouse, take my medicine and die without much complaint.
To bring this to a question though as I am sort of rambling, How do you keep your flame alive hubski? What keeps you from just 'falling in line' and living life in as much your own way as possible?
Edit*
Thanks for all of the quality posts guys, you've given me a lot to think about. I really appreciate the time and thought that went into the responses.