JessicaRabbit:
This is something I've been pondering on for quite some time. So I guess I need to finally get it off my chest.

The human species has become disturbingly obsessed with blending in, following the script, finding comfort in the crowd etc. I believe this mentality of trying to enforce a collective harmony of thought across all individuals in a society is ultimately dangerous. Conformity, my friends, is a hydra of a beast. It sprouts heads of societal expectations, whispers of "supposed tos," and the poisonous sting of judgment. It tells women they must bloom in gardens of domesticity, men they must conquer mountains of machismo, and everyone else they must fit into pre-made boxes with labels that chafe.

...And to all of that, I say pish posh! True belonging isn't found in fitting in, it's found in standing out, in raising your voice, in being your unapologetically authentic self. People who embrace their true nature and gifts are often the ones who break new ground, explore new possibilities, and solve problems in novel ways. They are not afraid to experiment, fail, and learn from their mistakes. They are not bound by the limitations of conventional wisdom, tradition, or dogma. They are willing to challenge the assumptions, paradigms, and methods of their fields and disciplines. Non-conformists are the pioneers, the inventors, the reformers, and the revolutionaries of human history.

For instance, Galileo Galilei was a non-conformist who defied the Catholic Church and the Aristotelian worldview by supporting the Copernican heliocentric model of the solar system. He used his telescope to observe the moons of Jupiter, the phases of Venus, and the spots on the sun, providing empirical evidence for his claims. He also developed the scientific method of observation, experimentation, and mathematical analysis, laying the foundations of modern science. Galileo's non-conformism led to his persecution by the Inquisition, but also to his recognition as one of the greatest astronomers and physicists of all time. Let's not also forget Marie Curie, defying the scientific establishment with her radioactive glow, or Martin Luther King Jr., thundering against the storm of segregation with his words of revolution, or Malala Yousafzai, a mere child challenging the bullets of oppression with her thirst for knowledge etc etc. These are the heroes of individualism, the ones who dared to be different, to chase their own moons, and in doing so, illuminated the path for others. And individualism isn't just about grand gestures. It's in the daily choices, the quiet rebellions. It's in wearing the purple socks with the orange polka dots, in pursuing the unconventional career, in loving (or not loving) whomever your heart desires. It's in saying "no" to the stifling expectations and "yes" to your own inner vibes.

So, my dears, raise a glass to the rebels, the outliers, the mavericks who dance to the music of their own souls. Remember, individualism isn't just a right, it's a responsibility. It's the torch we carry, lighting the way for a world where every color shines, every note rings true, and every heart beats to its own, perfect rhythm. Now, go forth and paint the world with the vibrant hues of your individuality!

JessicaRabbit:
This is something I've been pondering on for quite some time. So I guess I need to finally get it off my chest.

The human species has become disturbingly obsessed with blending in, following the script, finding comfort in the crowd etc. I believe this mentality of trying to enforce a collective harmony of thought across all individuals in a society is ultimately dangerous. Conformity, my friends, is a hydra of a beast. It sprouts heads of societal expectations, whispers of "supposed tos," and the poisonous sting of judgment. It tells women they must bloom in gardens of domesticity, men they must conquer mountains of machismo, and everyone else they must fit into pre-made boxes with labels that chafe.

...And to all of that, I say pish posh! True belonging isn't found in fitting in, it's found in standing out, in raising your voice, in being your unapologetically authentic self. People who embrace their true nature and gifts are often the ones who break new ground, explore new possibilities, and solve problems in novel ways. They are not afraid to experiment, fail, and learn from their mistakes. They are not bound by the limitations of conventional wisdom, tradition, or dogma. They are willing to challenge the assumptions, paradigms, and methods of their fields and disciplines. Non-conformists are the pioneers, the inventors, the reformers, and the revolutionaries of human history.

For instance, Galileo Galilei was a non-conformist who defied the Catholic Church and the Aristotelian worldview by supporting the Copernican heliocentric model of the solar system. He used his telescope to observe the moons of Jupiter, the phases of Venus, and the spots on the sun, providing empirical evidence for his claims. He also developed the scientific method of observation, experimentation, and mathematical analysis, laying the foundations of modern science. Galileo's non-conformism led to his persecution by the Inquisition, but also to his recognition as one of the greatest astronomers and physicists of all time. Let's not also forget Marie Curie, defying the scientific establishment with her radioactive glow, or Martin Luther King Jr., thundering against the storm of segregation with his words of revolution, or Malala Yousafzai, a mere child challenging the bullets of oppression with her thirst for knowledge etc etc. These are the heroes of individualism, the ones who dared to be different, to chase their own moons, and in doing so, illuminated the path for others. And individualism isn't just about grand gestures. It's in the daily choices, the quiet rebellions. It's in wearing the purple socks with the orange polka dots, in pursuing the unconventional career, in loving (or not loving) whomever your heart desires. It's in saying "no" to the stifling expectations and "yes" to your own inner vibes.

So, my dears, raise a glass to the rebels, the outliers, the mavericks who dance to the music of their own souls. Remember, individualism isn't just a right, it's a responsibility. It's the torch we carry, lighting the way for a world where every color shines, every note rings true, and every heart beats to its own, perfect rhythm. Now, go forth and paint the world with the vibrant hues of your individuality!

y3mi:


What a beautiful and well expressed piece of nugget.
The question I often ponder on is... why does the default of a majority fall into the chasm of herd mentality as everyone seem unable to break free from the trappings of the band wagon effect ?
Those who dare to be different or by nature of the true self don't know how to conform to societal dictate while adhering to a view that isn't populist.

JessicaRabbit:


The answer to your question is quite simple: forced conformity.

We're born wired for connection to our fellow humans, but somewhere along the evolutionary line, we mistook conformity for belonging. We traded our unique personalities for predictability and bland routines.

There's beauty in unity, but not when it's a chorus of mindless rhetorics.

There's beauty in unity, but not when it's a chorus of mindless rhetorics.

y3mi:

Forced conformity! How interesting.
What would be more interesting is to learn from you what and what could be behind the enforcement of this conformity, afterall, you'll agree -behind every forces exist an enforcer or exertive factor.

I don't accept we are born wired for connection to fellow humans as such assertion not only contravenes the subject of unmasking the magic of individualism as your piece attempts to tackle, it also fails to breakdown why the majority tend not to go beyond the script as its just played out tonight - Nigeria - an oppressive colonial state that perpetually makes life unbearable for the people, no light, insane economy, corruption, no security and safety as crime reigns etc yet the majority amassed to watch a football match in the cover of pitch darkness afforded by the incessant blackouts. What breeds this sort of conformity for human to conform into a fixation of pseudo-euphoria attached to pain and suffering constantly brought by those who will bask in the glory of credit or the oppresive ruiners if Nigeria had won ?


I agree. That defines who Nigerians are.

JessicaRabbit:
..! True belonging isn't found in fitting in, it's found in standing out, in raising your voice, in being your unapologetically authentic self. People who embrace their true nature and gifts are often the ones who break new ground, explore new possibilities, and solve problems in novel ways. ...

Dtruthspeaker:


This is a good post but it is also a rubbish post.

Yes, its good to be different and out standing however, it is not praise worthy to stand out for evil eg like a girl been a Corssy Ojiakor or a guy being Anini.

But standing out like Osimhen, Nwabali, Dora Akun. Noah, Daniel, Job., Now that is a stand out worthy of emulation.

So dont just stand out and be a rebel, stand out good and be a rebel because its right and good!

JessicaRabbit:


I'm afraid your criticisms are misguided.

Morality isn't a binary code. While I agree that standing out for "evil" isn't praiseworthy judging authenticity based solely on "good" or "bad" is a dangerous simplification. True belonging isn't about seeking external approval, it's about aligning with your values, regardless of whether they align with the norm....

Dtruthspeaker:


Your admitting of the bold proves that morality is the standard and everything is measured on those basis.

And this does not stop anyone from being creative..

It really is as simple as that No need to overcomplication.

JessicaRabbit:
This is something I've been pondering on for quite some time. So I guess I need to finally get it off my chest.

The human species has become disturbingly obsessed with blending in, following the script, finding comfort in the crowd etc. I believe this mentality of trying to enforce a collective harmony of thought across all individuals in a society is ultimately dangerous. Conformity, my friends, is a hydra of a beast. It sprouts heads of societal expectations, whispers of "supposed tos," and the poisonous sting of judgment. It tells women they must bloom in gardens of domesticity, men they must conquer mountains of machismo, and everyone else they must fit into pre-made boxes with labels that chafe.

y3mi:


What a beautiful and well expressed piece of nugget.
The question I often ponder on is... why does majority default fall into the chasm of herd mentality as everyone seem unable to break away from the trappings of the band wagon effect ?
Those who dare to be different or by nature of the true self don't know how to conform to societal dictate while adhering to a view that isn't populist.

JessicaRabbit:


You are missing the point. Morality is not a fixed standard that everyone agrees on. It is a complex and dynamic concept that evolves with time, culture, and context. What is considered moral in one society may be immoral in another. What is considered moral today may be immoral tomorrow. Therefore, basing your authenticity on morality is a futile and limiting exercise. You are conforming to a set of rules that are arbitrary and subjective, not universal and objective.

Creativity is not the same as authenticity. Creativity is the ability to produce original and valuable ideas. Authenticity is the ability to express your true self, regardless of external pressures or expectations. Creativity can be influenced by morality, but it does not depend on it. Authenticity can be enhanced by creativity, but it does not require it. They are both valuable qualities, but they are not interchangeable.

Again, this is a gross oversimplification of a nuanced and multifaceted issue, ignoring the diversity and complexity of human nature. You are imposing a rigid and narrow framework on a fluid and expansive phenomenon. That, my dear, is the very definition of dogmatism.

JuanDeDios:

Good post – as long as you recognise that you’re addressing a small minority of mankind, let’s call them the outliers. I mean, conformity, comfort zone, safe space – call it what you will – works for the majority of people. And they're often the ones who truly enjoy life. That's why a genius once said the world belongs to average people.

JessicaRabbit:


I think you should be careful not to fall for the trap of confusing contentment with stagnation. While conformity offers a pre-paved path, it can also become a dead-end road for the soul.

Think of it this way: imagine a world where every flower bloomed in the same shade of beige, chosen for its "universal appeal." Sure, it might seem aesthetically pleasing, but where's the vibrant tapestry of nature, the explosion of colors, the unique fragrance of each bloom? I understand that not everyone aspires to be a groundbreaking artist or a revolutionary thinker. But even within the realm of "average," there's a spectrum of possibilities. Why settle for a pre-written script when you can co-author your own narrative? As for the genius who claimed the world belongs to the average, I'd like to remind you that history remembers the outliers, the rule-breakers, the individuals who dared to paint outside the lines. They're the ones who pushed boundaries, challenged norms, and ultimately enriched the human experience for everyone, including those content within their comfort zones.

Now, I'm not suggesting everyone should abandon their comfort zones and become crusaders for change. But dismissing the value of individual expression and the pursuit of unconventional paths, especially under the guise of "majority rule," is a dangerous simplification. It not only ignores the potential for growth and innovation that lies outside the mainstream, but also inadvertently diminishes the very essence of what makes us human - our unique experiences, perspectives, and capacity for individual thought and action.

JuanDeDios:

Hmm. They don’t care about history. He/she just wants to live. Of course, society needs the groundbreakers, the outliers. Without this 1% of us, everything would stagnate-therein lies their value. Without them, the collective would suffer and everyone, including the comfort-zoners, would eventually wither since our very continuous survival as a species sometimes depends on our ability to master our environment.

So, no, I wasn’t dismissing the value of pioneering. I was just saying that we must recognize that at the individual level the average guy is fine just being average. And it’s he who truly enjoys life. A genius could never be content just living. He’s never even content in his pioneering ways because there’s always more to discover, to create, to change. There’s some nuclear engine inside him that fires him to be more. He finds his own living in constantly engaging, constantly discovering. Satisfaction is not for him. Happiness is elusive for him. His is a lonely path. That is why the world, with all its beauty and glory, belongs to the average people. The world belongs to the average people is not in terms of being remembered. It’s in terms of being HAPPY.