Why do NTs so readily respect a supposed authority?

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I do respect authorities, when it makes sense. For example, if they are an authority because they have demonstrated competence in their field, then it makes sense to listen to what they say and consider it.

But it seems in the neurotypical world, it doesn't matter if they have shown any competence or knowledge. As long as they have a title, they are respected; not only that, anyone without authority is not respected, no matter how right they are.

I have seen many examples of this. There were many times in school where I would correct someone, and suddenly the whole group turned on me and told me I am stupid and don't know what I'm talking about. I can't think of a single instance where I convinced them with just logic. After arguing for a while, I'd give up, and then I'd ask someone that had a title, like the teacher (even though I already knew I was correct). Then the teacher simply said, "Yes, he is correct." Now it suddenly made sense to them. "Oh, of course, I get it!" They didn't even question the teacher at all! (Nor did they apologize for calling me stupid)

One example: someone said that the word "damned" in the scriptural sense, is also the past tense of the verb "dam", as in "to dam a river". I immediately said, "No, those are two different words, with different meanings and spellings." But the ENTIRE class didn't believe me! Why? Because the person sharing this idea was misquoting an authority, who was simply comparing the meanings of the words "damn" and "dam" and using it as an analogy to demonstrate a point. I explained this to them, but they wouldn't believe me. I told them they are not etymologically related words. They still didn't believe me. I literally went up to the board and spelled the two words, and also their past tense forms. They wouldn't believe me that "dammed" was a word, they thought that the two differently-spelled words had the same past tense spelling, and to support this, one girl pulled out her smartphone ("smart"phone) and said, "It doesn't come up with a definition for 'dammed' in Google." NO, BECAUSE IT IS THE PAST TENSE, THEY DON'T PUT SEPARATE DEFINITIONS FOR EVERY CONJUGATION! PLUS, GOOGLE ISN'T RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING, IT IS JUST A SEARCH ENGINE!

I didn't realize how stupid the entire class could be, I thought at least one would be logical. But I finally gave up. "Mr. Smith, do the words 'damn' and 'dam' have the same spelling for past tense? And though they sound the same, are they actually etymologically related in any way?" "No, those are two completely different words. They aren't related, and both the spellings and meanings are completely different."

Class: "Wow, Mr. Smith is so smart."

...Seriously? That is EXACTLY what I said!

I do not understand this. I can understand them being slightly more inclined to believe an authority, but this is just ridiculous. I've had countless experiences like this, and every single time, they wouldn't listen to logic, I had to use an authority of some kind. I don't get how anyone can be THAT irrational unless they are actually impaired. But even at university, students who were claimed to be some of the nation's "best and brightest", would believe the silliest things if it came from an authority. This same thing happened there multiple times. WHY?

If I ever become a teacher or authority of some kind, I will punish them for this. I will tell them all sorts of ridiculous things, and then when they end up looking like a fool and get mad at me, I will just say, "Hey, it's not my fault. How could I know you'd believe something so ridiculous?"

I totally agree with you. For someone so young you show a lot of maturity. I can't figure it out either how people can be duped, but it happens all the time.

Welcome to the social game of typical life. The game provides a proliferation of social pyramid schemes that you can join. The game consists of climbing the social ladder by jumping through the hoops that get you to the next level of gameplay. The hoops are controlled by the authorities of the pyramid scheme that you are playing in.

Typical life is exciting. You can join as many pyramid schemes as you wish, or you may decide to start a new pyramid scheme.

The latter is a dangerous proposition. Authorities of established games will perceive you as a threat to their little empires. Some of the most powerful authorities decide over which kinds of pyramid schemes are illegal and which ones are legal.

Mr Ponzi attempted to reinvent the oldest game played by humans and other primates. He should have known better. Social pyramids are fractal structures. Smaller pyramids are parts of larger pyramids. The players of a particular game simply don't like it if someone comes along who ignores the rule of authority.

Playing the social game is also known as socialising. Schools are important institutions of socialisation. The first lesson of becoming a typical player is to submit to authority. The second lesson involves learning that the only way to move up the levels is to pretend to submit to authority, but in secret to construct a new rung on the ladder that bypasses the next level.

Playing the social game teaches you everything you ever need to know about neurotypical communication.

Thankfully the autistic spectrum is a spectrum, so that every now and then even typical humans behave in autistic ways. It this weren't the case, the social game would be the only game to play, and humans would quickly become extinct.

this befits a nation of sheeple.

I think it's a trust issue. They believe the person they trust the most. A teacher has been to university and is a specialist in their subject where as you are just a teenager with limited life experience. Logically if the teacher has told them many true things over time they will come to trust the teacher's judgement, they are going to trust the teacher over one of their peers.

It's kind of a complicated issue really. There is a danger in just blindly following a supposed authority, but then there is a danger in not following an authority when they are actually right. The vaccine topic comes to mind. There are so many people who think that they are right to not vaccinate their children and that big pharma and educated doctors are really just trying to make money rather than help stem the tide of serious illnesses such as measles. Who is right? The educated doctor or the parents who "know" best?

Authorities have a title that acknowledge their competence, but everybody can commit a mistake. I believe they are respected when a proven refutation to their arguments is not available immediately.

I'll respect an authority, if they can point to a valid source from which they derive their authority.

Which is why I am an anarchist.

once again, that is just not true, some People are more likely to respect authority blindly, but not all NTs do and I don't think its an NT trait particularly, its more a specific personality trait found in humans rather than just NTs.