Quite a lot of people believe that in this world there are conformists, a.k.a. “mindless sheep”, the people who do things because “that’s what everyone does” – and, conversely, don’t do something because “nobody else is doing it”. People also believe that there are non-conformists, who supposedly are the opposite of the above. So far, so good.
But a lot of people make a big mistake here – they believe that non-conformists are people who are intentionally different, people who do something because others don’t, and don’t do something because others do. In other words, people who consciously try to be “different”.
And that’s not “non-conformism” at all.
Trying to be different is really the same as trying to be the same – it’s living in function of others. It’s having no personality, no opinions, no tastes, no self. What others do is the basis of what you do, whether you copy it or oppose it.
Many teenagers (but it’s not limited to them) err in this way – one could call it their “rebel phase”, but it’s “rebellion” without a real cause, a real objective – they just want to shock others, to be noticed. They try to affirm their identity by opposing whatever they see around them – no matter if whatever they see is right or wrong.
A “non-conformist” – or, rather, an individualist – does, instead, what he likes, what he believes is right, what he wants. If he does something completely unique, he doesn’t care; if he does something everyone else does, he doesn’t care. What others do is up to them, but he chooses for himself.
For instance, I like a music genre that is completely unfashionable, that almost no friend of mine likes, that isn’t ever heard on the radio. Yet I love chocolate, which most people also love. Do I stop listening to heavy metal to “fit in”? No. Do I stop eating chocolate to be different, to “separate myself”? Nope, that would be quite stupid. 
Both are my tastes – whether others share them or not didn’t, and doesn’t matter at all.
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Tags: conformism, definitions, non-conformism
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Individualists don’t really care about others. That is my opinion. I don’t like people who think they can do whatever they feel like it just because they want it too and claim they have the right to do so. Acting in such a way shows little respect for others. I truly believe that we are defined not only by our background but also by the influence of other people or by our interaction with them. It is impossible not to.
I do agree, however, that we are entitled to live our lives the way we want to. And I believe we can make our choices without disrespecting others and we should make them consciously.
I don’t think a non-conformist is intentionally different; I think a non-conformist, ideally speaking, is someone who believes things are or can be different from what is presented to them. It is an act of courage to stand up and say: I don’t agree with this; this is against what I believe. Thus an individualist can be a non-conformist as well.
Individualists don’t really care about others. That is my opinion. I don’t like people who think they can do whatever they feel like it just because they want it too and claim they have the right to do so.
Difference in definitions. What you call an individualist I call a proto-criminal. Individualism includes respect for others. But it’s by choice, not obligation.
I consider myself an individualist, yet any of my friends knows he or she could call me for help at any time, and I’d help (even though I may not usually call for months – but that’s another subject). Why do I call myself an individualist? Because I live for myself, I think for myself, I don’t do anything in terms of “imitating others” or “opposing others”. Because I believe in my right to live my own life. Because I believe I am defined by my choices, not by my race or nationality or gender or social stratum. And because I believe that sacrificing an individual for a group is one of the most evil concepts in existence. But, again, that’s another story.
Remember that you and I have different definitions of concepts. To me, “individualist” is related to individual, to you it probably means a manipulating, lying evil bastard.
Respect for others must always be a choice and never an obligation. I think we agree on that.
After I wrote the previous comment on your post I started to think what an individualist really means and what individualism is. I must research on the meanings of the two words and get back to them later, because it did occur to me that being an individualist doesn’t necessarily mean you are an egotist, for instance. I will elaborate on this one later on, I hope.
Because I believe I am defined by my choices, not by my race or nationality or gender or social stratum.
Now, this is quite interesting because for me the choices we make are defined by the person we are; therefore gender, race, nationality, etc defines us as individuals as well – even if by opposition.
Now, this is quite interesting because for me the choices we make are defined by the person we are; therefore gender, race, nationality, etc defines us as individuals as well – even if by opposition.
I believe they influence us, not define. It’s like running with a strong wind: the wind may help you, hinder you or not affect you at all, but, at the end, you do run in the direction you wanted. Some people, however, may run into the wrong direction, because it’s easier… and then they blame the wind.
I’m caucasian, yet am I like most caucasians? I’m Portuguese, yet am I like most Portuguese? I’m male, yet am I like most males? I don’t think so – and not because I try to be different (this article is exactly about the fact that doing so would be as stupid as trying to be like everyone else), but because of my choices.
I’m not saying that nothing influenced or influences me. I’m saying that ultimately, the choice – every choice – is mine. Just like with everyone else.
It’s much easier, though, and more convenient, to paint oneself as a victim… to “blame the wind”. But I’m digressing again.
I understand that the choice is yours. I agree with that but I can’t really agreee with you on the rest.
Where do your choices come from if not from the fact that you are a 31-year-old young caucasian male (even if you’re not a typical one)? Being caucasian means you don’t have the same vision of the world a black or an ansian person has, for example, unless they too read Ayn Rand!
Sorry, I’m only joking.
I guess this is a very complex subject to be discussed and it may as well happen that we will be discussing this for years and years and not agreeing with each other.
I consider myself an individualist to a certain extent. Only when it comes to what I believe in does my individualist self quietly disappear. Of course I state my morals for the most part. But when some of my morals and principles oppose those of the majority I chose to go with the majority. For personal benefit of course. I know that sounds very selfish but its a clever way of keeping oneself in good company with everyone else. Putting ones views and principles out in the open can sometimes put a well meaning honorable individual at a slight disadvantage. When it comes down to social status and persona. Thats why its ok to throw some of your morals and beliefs into hiding for self betterment. You know what you believe in and so it shouldnt matter what you say. It is all in what you do. And I quote from my favorite movie “What we do in life, echoes in eternity” (Gladiator)
Interesting. Check out my blog entry as it related to what you are addressing. Certainly, if one conforms because that is what everyone else is doing I can see the association with the “mindless sheep” metaphor. However, I think it is important to reserve judgement on those who appear to be conformists. Peoples intentions are what defines them as internally or externally motivated. Just because they exhibit culturally typical behaviors or interests does not mean they do so in order to fit in. Maybe that is just who they are and that is what fulfills them. For me, maturity has allowed me to be who I want to be, whether it is cool or simply unremarkable to others has no influence on my decisions. The only externally motivated conforming I participate in is related to following the laws so no one can take my right away to do and be who I choose.
“In other words, people who consciously try to be “different”.” I think that is a generalisation. You can consciously try to be different in order to make a statement. Personally, I try to be different because I find that people in general conform too blindly and I think that is a bad thing. And I like uniqueness. It’s a value, in my opinion. So it really is a gray area (at least in my opinion), because I like being unique.I consciously try to be different, but it’s not to “affirm their identity by opposing whatever they see around them – no matter if whatever they see is right or wrong.” It’s just because I enjoy it.
Another reason is well, to make a statement. Sometimes to make a statement, you have to be bold and go further. To make a strong statement, sometimes you have to take it to the extreme so that others see. I don’t mean changing your taste just because other people don’t. But if there’s something I’m neutral about, I’ll try not to do stuff that others do (especially things I don’t agree with), for the sake of making a statement.
For example, when buying my mp3 player, I didn’t want to get an iPod because I found it very common. I personally don’t have anything against it per se, but at the same time I don’t think it’s that much better than any other players. So in order to make a statement that it’s over-rated, I chose something I thought was equivalent. It took more effort to find, but it’s to make a statement, not just blindly opposing. Or another example is not watching the “Idol” shows. I don’t have anything against it, but I’m not fully for it. So the fact that it’s a blind trend sways me away from it, even though I’d normally be neutral towards it.
Hope you understand what I mean.
It is ALWAYS best to remain a free-thinking individual, whom is able to form his or her own opinions independently from the status quo. Many simpleton and strongly conformist minds are unable to innovate, because they instead choose to go along with what everybody else is doing in life, because that’s normative – and thus, their levels of innovation tend to be lower than those whom “think outside of the box.”
— Note how this person (whose comment is below) automatically assumes that individualism is highly correlated with deviance. This is obviously not the case, and is intellectually flawed and assumptive. Go to the google.com webpage and use their search engine. The complex search engine algorithms and company were created by innovators whom chose to embrace individuality, and look how successful their stock price is now! Ha!
[quote comment="10"]Individualists don’t really care about others. That is my opinion. I don’t like people who think they can do whatever they feel like it just because they want it too and claim they have the right to do so.
Difference in definitions. What you call an individualist I call a proto-criminal. Individualism includes respect for others. But it’s by choice, not obligation.
I consider myself an individualist, yet any of my friends knows he or she could call me for help at any time, and I’d help (even though I may not usually call for months – but that’s another subject). Why do I call myself an individualist? Because I live for myself, I think for myself, I don’t do anything in terms of “imitating others” or “opposing others”. Because I believe in my right to live my own life. Because I believe I am defined by my choices, not by my race or nationality or gender or social stratum. And because I believe that sacrificing an individual for a group is one of the most evil concepts in existence. But, again, that’s another story.
Remember that you and I have different definitions of concepts. To me, “individualist” is related to individual, to you it probably means a manipulating, lying evil bastard.[/quote]
I actually enjoy being a non-conformist I believe that the quote un quote normal way of life what ever that mean to you is what the government use to make everyone clones I tend to think out side the box a lot for example I am not straight or gay I am not man or woman I just am which does not mean that I find life tragic just people who feel that they have to do what everyone else does there life is predictable my eye’s are open to posibilities in every thing I do.
The motto of the world is “be unique, dont conform “. But when everyone is a nonconformist, in truth, aren’t we all conforming to the world? conformists and nonconformists are just groups and titles our minds set on certain people. but in truth. we’re all the same thing. we all conform whether we choose to or not, because the world works like a cracked machine. we were made for one thing, but we all work together to contradict our reason to live. What I’m trying infer is that truly there is no definition for either. Look around. It’s true when you say people try to be different purposely. There’s only a select few who are truly different. we grow up in an environment to urges us to be unique, to find our own path, to fight our own fights. but when everyone chooses to change, its conforming. its a long and large cycle and it’ll never change. Thus, you can’t place a definition for either of them.
and just a side note: dont ditch the heavy metal =) its amazing.
[img]http://images.despair.com/products/demotivators/conformity.jpg[/img]
I hope tags work.
People may try to be different, but they usually don’t succeed in making much of a statement or being original because
1. the difference is superficial. (so the perceived statement being made, in other people’s minds ranges from “I do drugs” to “I try my hardest to look ugly” to “wow! that person is a non-conformist just like me. I will befriend them.” None of those are that impressive)
2. true originality is rare.
i think that the world should have non conformists like me and have the conformists who follow because we all can’t be leaders in the world