I can totally relate and sympathize with an up and coming professional having to virtue signal just to survive in clown world, but what did you mean by this?

my friend... gets visibly angry when I speak heresy

Is that in private or in public? Have you asked why he is reacting that way? If you feel free to "speak heresy" then he should get enough of a confidence boost in your presence to do the same (or just smile and nod) - unless he looks down on you and would prefer to be friends with other fake people.

I can totally relate and sympathize with an up and coming professional having to virtue signal just to survive in clown world, but what did you mean by this?

my friend... gets visibly angry when I speak heresy

Is this in private or in public? Have you asked why he is reacting that way? If you feel free to "speak heresy" then he should get enough of a confidence boost in your presence to do the same (or just smile and nod) - unless he looks down on you and would prefer to be friends with other fake people.

I can totally relate and sympathize with an up and coming professional having to virtue signal just to survive in clown world, but what did you mean by this?

my friend... gets visibly angry when I speak heresy

Is this in private or in public? Have you asked why he is reacting that way? If you feel free to "speak heresy" then he should get enough of a confidence boost in your presence to do the same - unless he looks down on you and would prefer to be friends with other fake people.