The Gadfly

"The Gadfly" is a term often used to describe a person who challenges authority and provokes others to think critically or reconsider their beliefs. The term originates from the metaphor of a gadfly, an insect that annoys cattle to stir them into action. In historical context, Socrates is likened to a gadfly for questioning Athenian society and encouraging philosophical inquiry. In broader terms, a gadfly can be seen as a social critic or activist who raises uncomfortable questions and promotes change by disrupting complacency.