The individualist is KINDA dead.

[JMeganSnow]

There is no such thing as creativity and individuality.

Hah, this sounds like you're complaining that there's not ENOUGH creativity and individuality in the world, not like you're trying to convince people to GIVE UP their creativity and individuality, which is the usual stance of people who make this claim.

Anyhoo, yeah, a lot of people seem to be mentally passive and adopt whatever happens to be around them, but I know quite a few people who only adopt certain activities because they are rationally convinced that this is the right way to act. Being an individualist doesn't mean that you have to somehow be "different" from everyone else, but that you use your own judgment to arrive at the conclusion that you should act in certain way and then do so. If a certain conclusion is pretty obvious, like that it's not a good idea to go on a murder spree or that you can sell more product if you lower your price, then EVERYONE who has an active mind will eventually arrive at this conclusion and exercise it.

Being creative and individual is less about WHAT you do and more about HOW and WHY you decided to do it.

 

[BubbleGumSnareDrum]

There's a certain irony in this topic. You spent all this time writing this up and guess what? It's nothing new.

 

[PTSpyder]

Wow, wall of text. Anyway, the only person who would be an individual would neither care if they were or not, nor be trying to be an individual in the first place. In this sense, there are still individualist people. Chances are that you are overlooking them because as they live their lives, pieces of pop culture are brought into what defines them. Its not because its popular, but because they enjoy it. It can be hard to see if distinction, but its there

 

[Neesa]

There is no such thing as creativity and individuality.

Hah, this sounds like you're complaining that there's not ENOUGH creativity and individuality in the world, not like you're trying to convince people to GIVE UP their creativity and individuality, which is the usual stance of people who make this claim.

If anything, that is exactly my point. There so much redundancy and stagnation that it seems like there isn't enough of creativity and individuality. Thank you. Finally someone got the gist of what I was trying to say. -hugs JMegan and gives her a cookie-

There's a certain irony in this topic. You spent all this time writing this up and guess what? It's nothing new.

And while "it's nothing new", it seems that not many people want to hold up the banner and bring back the creative juices that use to flow. What happened to putting out thinking caps on? And I find something condescending in your response that makes me want to shank you with a spork.

 

[JMeganSnow]

There is no such thing as creativity and individuality.

Hah, this sounds like you're complaining that there's not ENOUGH creativity and individuality in the world, not like you're trying to convince people to GIVE UP their creativity and individuality, which is the usual stance of people who make this claim.

If anything, that is exactly my point. There so much redundancy and stagnation that it seems like there isn't enough of creativity and individuality. Thank you. Finally someone got the gist of what I was trying to say. -hugs JMegan and gives him a cookie-

Thank you, but for future reference: I is female.

 

[Neesa]

There is no such thing as creativity and individuality.

Hah, this sounds like you're complaining that there's not ENOUGH creativity and individuality in the world, not like you're trying to convince people to GIVE UP their creativity and individuality, which is the usual stance of people who make this claim.

If anything, that is exactly my point. There so much redundancy and stagnation that it seems like there isn't enough of creativity and individuality. Thank you. Finally someone got the gist of what I was trying to say. -hugs JMegan and gives him a cookie-

Thank you, but for future reference: I is female.

-smacks forehead and fixes- Makes sense...Megan generally being a female's name. Terribly sorry, ma'am. Thank you again for understanding.

 

[NewGeekPhilosopher]

I can't even attempt to be anyone else. Trying to be other people is just alien to me. This is partly because I was born with a social/learning disorder, who people sometimes say to me doesn't exist. When that happens my individuality is denied by people who want me to be like them. They do this because me being myself makes them uncomfortable, in many different ways. One way is that they don't like "retarded" people. The other is that it's something that marks me as different from anyone else I know. I mean, people throw around the word "retarded" without even taking into account what it means any more. It's been robbed of its etymology.

I know it's not as identity causing as "gay" which is sometimes used as an insult, and I don't see being called "retarded" as fun, but for people like me there's no real foundation of a lifestyle we can hold onto. The difference is purely neurological, not so much who we sleep with or what we wear or what we listen to. Because it's not always visible to most people, some people don't know why I am different to them and think I'm insensitive sometimes, when really I just get misinterpreted. Recently things have been changing, the old dynamics of my high school friends I knew when I went to school with them have crumbled. But I'm still here, and sometimes they're too stubborn to let me help them pick up the pieces.

 

[Taerdin]

I'm an individual, but I also have no friends. I guess you just have to prioritize in life. For me, not pretending to like the crap everyone else likes was worth the extra hours of solitude. Some days I regret that, but most days I get by just fine on my own.

I have a few online buddies I play the occasional L4D game on weekends with, but basically when it boils down to it I dont party, go to bars, drink, smoke, hardly ever get invited to birthdays, get invited to someones place, etc. I have a best friend whos a good guy but he's off in the military right now. Also I'm a genuinely nice guy, and make people laugh, but the awkward rifts/silences I create by not picking up on whats 'common knowledge' must be turning people off of me or something? No idea.

Anyways, I know no one cares about me but I just thought I'd give my perspective.

 

[Matronadena]

to be honest...I'm more content to just " be" what ever shape, or form that takes...it does not matter. It's all just an illusion anyway.

 

[Neesa]

to be honest...I'm more content to just " be" what ever shape, or form that takes...it does not matter. It's all just an illusion anyway.

As sad as that is true, I'd like the make the best of this illusion while I can,y'know?

Before I die, I'd like to make sure I left some sort of impression on people that my presence will be remembered and missed. While personalities may favor, no two are ever the same. Which in that degree, yes, we are all individuals. We have similar thought processes, likes and dislikes. There is nothing wrong with finding commonality with someone else. Like JMeganSnow said earlier, the point I'm trying to drive across (which I should've put in the OP but, whatever) we need more creativity and individualism. Which is why I think it's pretty much dead. We all had creative people in our eras. But I don't know, it just seems so hard to find anything good in this upcoming generation. They seem to be so keen on sticking with the status quo... of any genre really. Whether it be music, fashion, lifestyle, etc. Just when did it stop? When did music and fashion have to have this cookie cutter image and sound?

When you take the creativity from the individuals and have hungry capitalist pigs have control over your sound. At least if you're a freelance artist, you're in control of what you sound like, what you create. Why do you think so many music artist are considered "sell-outs"? Many feel that their pure essence that they once had in their music is now gone, but they need to keep their pockets lined.

Good example, Lady Sovereign's newest CD. Holy. Shit. That CD is pretty terrible. All the songs sound the same. The beats, lyrics/jargon, feel of the song sound so damn generic and I didn't mind her when she first came out. Now, holy God. So glad I didn't buy it. I felt like that after I got Linkin Park's Minutes To Midnight. I tried to take it back:

Me: Hey do you guys take back crappy CDs?
Lady: What's wrong with it?
Me: The music is horrible.
Lady: Oh.

Movies are like that too. How many remakes of an original can you kick to the ground. Did you see The Day The Earth Stood Still remake? If you didn't, don't bother. Staring at paint drying is more creative than that garbage.

Anyways, I know no one cares about me but I just thought I'd give my perspective.

I'm glad you even read and considered to respond with your own personal thoughts and feelings. You are appreciated. Thank you.

 

[hcig]

to be an individualist means to accept not the culture, nor the counter culture

to be individual, you must create your own culture

thats what i do, its easy, do what you like, and dont let anybody influence you, you believe in something, dont deny it because its not cool, i spend every day of my life in a room full of "adults" who cant stop acting like children, because they all have hiveminded, i like some things they like (who the hell doesnt like house?) but for the most part, we disagree, i sit at my desk, staring at the computer screen, with walls blocking my view, and beyond those walls i hear laughter, i hear "did you see 'x' last night?" and "yea, that was great, remember when..." i hear frequent use of retarded quotes from shows like family guy, i hear gossip, i hear talk of celebrities and their scandals.

and what do i do? i focus on my work, and i create a persona that says "hey, dont approach me, or ill stab you in the face"

what im trying to say is, if everyone else is being hip, tell them how, if they dare to ask you why you arent wearing the latest fashion, you will rip out their throat.

BUT if your into the latest fashion, then do it, if your into gossip, do it, DO WHAT YOU WANT, NOT WHAT THEY WANT, but if you like being a tool, by all means, BE A TOOL, i hate when people try to be nonconformist for the sake of it, you cant be ashamed of what you like, its cowardly, to be an individual, make your own choices, AND DONT WORRY IF OTHERS HAVE MADE THE SAME.

of course, if you followed my routine, you wouldnt be an individualist, soooo...

 

[Neesa]

Along with creativity, having an different mindset would be nice. All the bullshit over what where some celebrity took a huge crap is so annoying. Instead of shoving money into their pockets, start putting it back into school. That way they can keep all their art/music/performance arts/technology departments. Why the hell do you care what Cameron Diaz is doing right this very moment? Not like it's life changing or you're getting money for it.

If you are, tell me how.

 

[traceur_]

I don't think individuality is that important, I think of myself as an individual but I don't ever pride myself on it, I like stuff that other people like but still I'm a bit different. I'll use my favourite subject as an example, parkour is steadily becoming more well known (thank you youtube) and I think it's a good thing that heaps of people are giving it a go, of course things that are quite similar have been done before, indeed by evolution but I won't go into that, any sort of movement that is used to get over an obstacle (i.e climbing over a fence) can be interpreted as parkour related, jumping too. My point being that things such as emoism have existed for ages, it was just really spread out and not noticed. Kind of like how various obstacle traversal techniques were grouped together to create parkour, certain characteristics of those now known as emos were grouped together and used to classify and describe people who exhibit these "emo" characteristics. People that seek out little known groups/practices/activities in a search for individualism are really just adding a bit of wood to a glowing ember, when enough of these people join it, each little wood chip they contributed to the ember has fueled it and allowed it to grow into a noticeable bonfire which attracts more people, eventually the individualism is gone as it grows too large for those who engage in the activity to call themselves individuals because of it.

in short: everything has been done before.

 

[Sewblon]

People can still break from stereotypes as much as they ever could have, it is just that now that we have internet, it is imitated and folded into some niche faster. The world can't really change, for the most part people just take the action that apparently leads to self preservation, groups and institutions do the same thing.

 

[300lb. Samoan]

OK let me dive blind into this because it is very late. I just glossed over your rant and I'll give it a proper read tomorrow.

Individualism has been commercialized. The different lifestyles you mentioned, encompassing music, movies, books, clothing, video games, and other style choices, are all an intentional effect of channeling. While we believe we live in a world of endless self-expression and individualism, we think that only because we are offered a variety of distinct choices. But by living within the bounds of these channels, we fit into defined demographics and are therefore easier to market to. By adhering to the norms of these channels we sacrifice our true individuality. I believe that eventually this trend will pass, but only in the event that our society becomes less consumerist and affluent. The endless channels we find ourselves slotted into today will slowly erode and we will, from the market's standpoint, become one giant homogeneous mass. From there we'll have no choice but to find genuine ways of expressing ourselves, and we'll return to the old way of defining ourselves by associating with trends motivated by people rather than money.

 

[S.H.A.R.P.]

Nice story there. Yet saying 'we' all the time, is not entirely necessary in this crowd of Escapists I think (though there's always exceptions). Conforming one's self with the masses is a rather mainstream thing, one which I like to refer to as the sheep mentality. Of course this also happens in our community, often referred to as 'hopping on the bandwagon', where if the general consent is set, certain 'individuals' rather hop on instead of thinking on the issue, instead of taking their own view upon the issue. I know I must have been guilty of this sort of act myself, and I'm aware of that, so I try to counter that, and use my own thought processes to come to a logical, personal, and individual conclusion. I think most of the Escapists realise this too, hence my claim that saying 'we' is slightly uncalled for in this crowd (though some might benefit from it, making this a better community entirely).

Even though it's hard to do something new, since a lot of things have been done in the past, it's not hard to be an individualist. Actively pursuing something new might even make one less unique, since many people pursue that way if you look in the right places. If you are aware of what is happening around you, if you are aware of your own thought processes, why you like or dislike something, and know that the reason for that is personal instead of indoctrinated upon you by television or whatever, you are an individualist in my book.

I'm no artist myself, hence the outside world may not be aware of my individualism. The way I express myself is mostly through inner thought processes. I enjoy thinking about strange concepts, and trying to push the limits that humanity has put on themselves. There is no limit. There are no boundaries. You are free to think what you will. Do not let your creativity be hampered by the limitations of others.

 

[Bat Vader]

So you are saying you want to be accepted by people? I don't understand that. Everyone in the world including my family could hate me and I still would not care.

I am who I am, and that is not you. Isn't that what makes us individuals? Our differences?

Yes, I believe so.

 

[Logan Westbrook]

Know that I'm truly clapping on the other end here. Way to spout the same nonsensical bullshit as about a million other posters.

I'm sure you think you're being all introspective and deep talking about the loss of individuality.

Who cares. Grow up. By the root of your logic, no one, ever, ever, ever, ever has been an individual, aside from the first man and woman (and no Christians, I'm not referring to Adam and Eve).

Individuality exists as a human construct to help everyone feel special. If you're sad that it no longer exists, consider the fact that it NEVER really, truly existed. After all, an idea doesn't have form, shape, mass or substance. It's as real as Santa Clause and Jesus.

Don't worry, I hate this post way less then some punker/goth/emo asshole who goes on and on and on and on and on and on about conformity. So I guess you should be glad that you aren't riding the top of the stupid bullshit hierarchy, but until you think about something less stupidly morbid, you're still riding pretty damn high on that list.

While your at it, why don't you write a post about the nature of death, and the meaning of the universe, or something equally bleak.

Disagreement is fine, but don't be nasty with it. It's unnecessary.

 

[dwightsteel]

Know that I'm truly clapping on the other end here. Way to spout the same nonsensical bullshit as about a million other posters.

I'm sure you think you're being all introspective and deep talking about the loss of individuality.

Who cares. Grow up. By the root of your logic, no one, ever, ever, ever, ever has been an individual, aside from the first man and woman (and no Christians, I'm not referring to Adam and Eve).

Individuality exists as a human construct to help everyone feel special. If you're sad that it no longer exists, consider the fact that it NEVER really, truly existed. After all, an idea doesn't have form, shape, mass or substance. It's as real as Santa Clause and Jesus.

Don't worry, I hate this post way less then some punker/goth/emo asshole who goes on and on and on and on and on and on about conformity. So I guess you should be glad that you aren't riding the top of the stupid bullshit hierarchy, but until you think about something less stupidly morbid, you're still riding pretty damn high on that list.

While your at it, why don't you write a post about the nature of death, and the meaning of the universe, or something equally bleak.

Disagreement is fine, but don't be nasty with it. It's unnecessary.

seriously, this is ridiculous. How have I not been suspended yet? or at least put on probation. I've been an absolute dick to several people on this forum, and not one thing has come my way. I'm almost offended.