I am going out on a limb here because I am not in a group and feel I am missing out and at some point may have to join one... but like you @freebornangel I am a free agent independent thinker. I love everything that is happening in steemit including the groups because some people really need them and it is a much needed service. But excluding others is the part that sort of bites me.
Well anyway... @aggroed is the best thing that happened for me on my arrival besides my friend that got me in here @steevc and I am sure thousand other members would most likely say the same thing. Respect is what I have ... however I am not in the group...we'll see :)
The issue is in their insularity.
Not looking outside the group for folks to support disadvantages everybody not in the group.
I haven't figured out the secret to getting dissent and contrariness supported, much, here.
It's certain that stinc, et al, have no interests in supporting it, I was told that straight out the gate a year and a half ago, and it has proven to be a valid prediction.
Without dissent we become a circle jerk, and our ideas lose the ability to be unique.
Nothing original is possible without being outside the accepted norm.