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To conform or not to conform?
Results so far:
| Conform | 18% | 10 votes | Total: 57 votes | |
| Not | 82% | 47 votes |
Conform
by Mark Waybill
Created on: October 15, 2009
Conformity is a generalized statement which defines a rather vague notion that we are all whether we like it or not essentially the same as one another in most respects and that by the process of not conforming we are 'being ourselves' and being 'free'. This is very idealist thinking and influenced by hippie and beatnik ideals based upon Orwellian and suchlike superstitions and fears of totalitarian government, dictatorships, and 'the man'.
Being a more rational individual than these rebels I know that conformity is essential if you want to be normal, and being normal is one of the best investments you can make to guarantee your social standing will be maintained or improved. To not conform is to to take a risk, to be daring, to be 'free', but also trapped. Trapped in the life of a outcast, a runaway, one who is always thought of as an outsider. To conform is to be only as bad as everyone else, to be no worse, if no better. To be normal is to be safe.
Safety in numbers remains an important social phenomenon in society. It is more likely you will be attacked, out of work, socially alienated, etc if you are different rather than normal. And before you argue that it is uncool to be square and that squares have no friends, I never said squares were normal. Hippies, beatniks and communists are more socially accepted and normal than squares. Its very conformist to be a rebel these days.
Rebels such as emos, goths, punks etc are not true rebels unless they commit proper illegalities, and as such are merely different. Anti-conformists are those who oppose normalcy, try to live differently, become popular for doing so, influence others to do so, and become leaders of successful mass social trends. Conformists on the other hand do what is done, whatever that may be, but are not overly mundane robotic types and do have their own personalities.
Anti-conformism has become very popular and it is seen as weird and not normal to be normal these days. If you are weird, an anti-conformist type, you will be more socially accepted by normal people, and will more likely be considered average and everyday and mundane and square. Yes I went there. For indeed it is quite ordinary to be 'different' these days, and the notion of squares and cool cats has becomes somewhat ironic, seeing as squares are no longer normal.
Daria Morgendorffer on the other hand, while antisocial, is not weird. She is a regular type with a perfectly functional brain and is perfectly aware of her situation. As such she is a perfectly healthy individual, despite not being terribly popular. But popular people are not popular, and if anything are the sort of attention seeking types who are considered unpopular by most.
This might all sound quite contradictory, but essentially at all comes to the notion of their being a conformity in the first place, from which one may not conform to be different and 'to be oneself'. This conformity never existed properly, as normality itself never existed. Whatever the majority of people are doing is normal, and if conformity is to be considered existent, let us apply the term to being normal. Thus seeing as those who classify themselves as rebels or different from the ordinary are ordinary and normal, rebels are thus rebels within an already rebel state.
Thus the only true anti-conformists are anarchists, criminals, the insane, and people considered to be weird (not to be confused with different or strange). To be weird is far worse than to just be different or strange. It involves being actively resented by the majority, and to be considered a villain by them even if one is not and never was a villain.
Thus the best route to take is to do what everybody else is doing. You will find that it is easy to be yourself that way.
Learn more about this author, Mark Waybill.
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Not
by Billy Helms
Created on: April 01, 2010
When anyone in a society conforms to a specific group, they give up individuality and freedom to express their ideals. As they learn the customs of the group their former views of the world become distorted and their decisions altered. Any showing of confusion is equated to a realization or beginning thereof that perhaps the group is wrong. They are told to obey a set of rules and anyone who would try to show a respect for Truth as it is shown by another media is outcast. In order for one to achieve a goal of seeing the truth, they must separate themselves from any group and form their own opinion based on a variety of sources.
One major group that has been founded upon conformity is that of the various cults spread about the United States. By religious or some other principle the cults have leaders that speak facts in the ears of each follower who dares not to object. Seen as prophets of a deity or in some cases worshipped themselves as gods. They allow no outside contact with any family. All that is said is to be believed by all and little is known of the outside world. Newspapers, television, and computers are unheard of though the technological age is upon us. The members of cults believe they are promoting good life and health by living with one other in their own paradise but their Truth is one that differs not from the sheltered world of the hermit.
The U.S. Government to some extent imposes their will on society in the f+orm of regulating what is allowed to be seen by the public and by passing legislature that may not be readily accepted by the people. Furthermore the giving of aid or reward to any volunteering party who will advertise a recent political issue or pick a side that may not represent their own true opinion is an act that may sway many people to abandon what they had known and believed all because of false promise. Someone who is swept up into moving speeches and eloquent terms such as refund, bail out, and stimulus may ignore the haunting shouts of protesters who oppose the governments reckless spending and unnecessary expansions to the wrong departments.
Most shocking of all behaviors that influence conformity is the treatment of some young children at home. Having no choice in what schools to go to or who to be friends with, they are forced into groups with similar beliefs and behaviors among members. Shielded from the outside world, those that have it worst are home schooled seeing but an hour or two a day. Prisoners in their own homes, the children sit knowing only what mom and dad told him of that which lies before the clear glass windows and the green lush grass. Kept away from many common luxuries such as dolls, bicycles, and even some snack foods, the children shall truly suffer from this type of treatment. It is the rebellion, the self-teaching, and self-realization that allows the child to search for truth themselves and break away from the inept customs of overprotective parents.
It is true indeed that perhaps a cult’s leader may feel the isolation is necessary; however those brought up in the lifestyle have seen no alternative nor have they seen an alternative have they seen an alternative. In some situations the government should have control over some publications and may pass laws regardless of public opinion but it is then the public’s job to make sure they elect officials with their best interest at heart. Parents are seen as the true source and influence of any behavior their children exhibit but they must allow them to live life and follow a path of their own. It is true that safety may be an issue but the belief of an area to be safe or not just comes from the opinions of other supposed witnesses and speculation, not witnessing wrongdoing. Man must separate themselves from all media and take time to think about what is truly being said and what is hidden behind the scenes and reveal corruption if to no one else, themselves.
Much of the world is distorted by the media and even issues that directly affect the people of America are kept from them until it is too late. We must educate ourselves and not place our future in someone else’s hands. “To conform is to give up any previously held opinion and is submitting to be silenced.” It is a fight to stay afloat with the constant flood of half true stories, tabloids, and even some modern day “yellow journalism” is at fault. It will take some reading between the lines and deep thought, but soon the people shall see the Truth and nothing but the truth or die and lie silent having lived a lie. Some information may be kept but for the benefit of who? If one shies from the Truth he is afraid of reality and that people will rise against him. With knowing the Truth comes power which brings a following like no other. A group will form that by being founded upon multiple ideals and beliefs can be a worldwide influence. Hide not from the Truth by joining another corrupt group. Become a leader and lead by example, the only true example.
Learn more about this author, Billy Helms.
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