“I have never made it a consideration whether the subject was popular or unpopular, but whether it was right or wrong; for that which is right will become popular, and that which is wrong, though by mistake it may obtain the cry or fashion of the day, will soon lose the power of delusion, and sink into disesteem.”
–Thomas Paine
Popularity thus becomes important only after the crave of fashion and expediance has faded. Only then will the true worth of an idea reveal itself.
Otherwise, there can be no progress.