Strange to read something like this on HN, but better late than never, I guess...
Being a hacker and/or entrepreneur, even loosely defined, doesn’t imply you’re a conformist. In fact, I think what makes HN one of the most desirable places to engage with on the internet is that it’s less of an echo chamber than most.
I also don’t think of myself as a hero by any means.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think changing a political stance should be considered “flip-flopping” unless it’s done for a self-serving purpose. Reevaluating should be considered an attempt to learn and grow. That’s why wisdom is often (but not always) associated with age and/or experience.