Good. Different.

I have been trying to look at the difference between being conformed and being transformed.  The dictionary seemed a good place to start.  Conform = comply with rules, standards, or laws: (of a person) behave according to socially acceptable conventions or standards: be similar in form or type; agree (Cambridge)  While Transform was defined as make a marked change in the form, nature, or appearance of: to change (something) completely and usually in a good way (Britannica)
When I thought of conform my mind went to the “gulags” or “education” camps some regimes have to attempt to change the thinking of someone who thinks differently than the government line.
It seems that by continuous monotonous repetition thinking is attempted to be changed in the hope that a person then conforms to acceptable thinking, and is allowed back into society.
It seems that even our education process contains an element of that.  More than once I have heard of those being educated saying what the educator wanted to hear.  They knew that by passing, they could then teach their own opinions  The emphasis seems to not be on right or wrong, but whatever is the accepted as right at the time.
It seems to me the ultimate goal of any education is to transform.  The desire is to change someone’s thinking.  I know I sometimes exhibit “stinkin thinkin.”  My thinking needs to be changed and it is changed for the better.
What inspires me is to be able to think something through for myself and draw my own conclusions.  I get my back up when another tries to tell me how to think when the accepted  conclusion is based on flimsy evidence.  I am happy to follow due process, but I am not happy to draw only what is considered the acceptable conclusion if I do not agree it is the only conclusion to be reached.
Conforming to me is the line of least resistance.  Not all conforming is wrong.  Nor is all conforming right.  Transforming can contain all sorts of obstacles.  Ultimately it seems to come down to where the power lies.