“Every great historic change has been based on nonconformity, has been bought either with the blood or with the reputation of nonconformists.”

...often both blood and reputation.

Breaking through monopolies and rackets is the advance of civilization. America's independence is a prime example. Trump comes to mind in the political arena today. Nikolai Tesla is a prime example in the scientific community, rejected by Edison himself. Most genius is ridiculed by authorities and experts.