What I have against "sheeple"

[Saskwach]

Not the people who apparently are sheeple, but the term itself. It f***ing s***s me. Stop using it. Really.

http://www.xkcd.com/610/

This is what I see when someone says sheeple. A pretentious git who seems to think he/she sees the world more clearly than the rest of us, when really they aren't any less mentally shackled than this generic sheepson they conjure into their head when typing "sheeple". In fact, they're probably more so: the mental baggage that comes with seeing others as "sheeple" tends to be quite heavy and cumbersome. If you see other people with this or that view or this or that interest/hobby/clothing/whatever as mentally stunted and not worth your time then you can never come to understand that view, let alone the person who is far more complex than you give them credit for.
In fact, the xkcd comic is wiser than that. Those who decry "sheeple" may never have tried it, but public transport gets you in touch with some fascinating people if only you'd be willing to talk to them, not silently judge them. I've talked to psych students who draw freaky pictures in their free time, the homeless, conspiracy theorists, immigrants learning the language, all sorts.

So stop. You are the sheep. You jumped on a bandwagon that should have seen its own irony long ago. And get on a bus and talk to someone. You'll be enlightened.

 

[SharPhoe]

There's not really much to discuss here, but I will throw in my two cents anyway.

I can't say I've run into people with this mindset (though I've into ones that're similar), but if I did, I would definitely have half a mind to talk them out of it. To me, this whole "sheeple" thing sounds like the person in question has a severe superiority complex, and basically sees him/herself as better than other people because of the preconceived notion that they're the only person who actually "stops to think".

That said, I feel XKCD presented it well, just at it did the Idiocracy issue.

 

[Insanum]

There's not really much to discuss here, but I will throw in my two cents anyway.

I can't say I've run into people with this mindset (though I've into ones that're similar), but if I did, I would definitely have half a mind to talk them out of it. To me, this whole "sheeple" thing sounds like the person in question has a severe superiority complex, and basically sees him/herself as better than other people because of the preconceived notion that they're the only person who actually "stops to think".

That said, I feel XKCD presented it well, just at it did the Idiocracy issue.

Youve never seen zero punctuation?

So stop. You are the sheep.

Can you feel the irony?

People arent sheep, Some are just dense. some are not.If you think other people are sheep, then you are welsh (i kid, i kid)

All you have to do is just think, If you suddenly dropped unconcious, Chances are a lot of people are going to help you out. The kindness of strangers is out there, Just well hidden.

EDIT - Ive just properly read the post (i skimmed at first) fair point...I think you couldve made that better.

 

[SharPhoe]

There's not really much to discuss here, but I will throw in my two cents anyway.

I can't say I've run into people with this mindset (though I've into ones that're similar), but if I did, I would definitely have half a mind to talk them out of it. To me, this whole "sheeple" thing sounds like the person in question has a severe superiority complex, and basically sees him/herself as better than other people because of the preconceived notion that they're the only person who actually "stops to think".

That said, I feel XKCD presented it well, just as it did the Idiocracy issue.

Youve never seen zero punctuation?

I assume you're referring to the fans who blindly agree 100% with an y and everything that Yahtzee says about a game, whether or not they had a differing opinion beforehand? I guess that could count.

 

[Insanum]

There's not really much to discuss here, but I will throw in my two cents anyway.

I can't say I've run into people with this mindset (though I've into ones that're similar), but if I did, I would definitely have half a mind to talk them out of it. To me, this whole "sheeple" thing sounds like the person in question has a severe superiority complex, and basically sees him/herself as better than other people because of the preconceived notion that they're the only person who actually "stops to think".

That said, I feel XKCD presented it well, just as it did the Idiocracy issue.

Youve never seen zero punctuation?

I assume you're referring to the fans who blindly agree 100% with an y and everything that Yahtzee says about a game, whether or not they had a differing opinion beforehand? I guess that could count.

Well tbh i think yahtzee seems to be of the opinion that everyone is sheep milling about the place - Hell im fairly sure he reffered to people (in possibly an ironic way) as sheep (his CoD4 review going off memory). But sure, We'll go with the fans too.

 

[Hazy]

Oh, it was from xkcd? Well no wonder it sucks.

Spoiler

You're going to need this.

 

[ElephantGuts]

But-but-I love irony.

 

[Pyre00]

get on a bus and talk to someone. You'll be enlightened.

...What buses are you riding?

 

[sheic99]

I should probably point out that the way xkcd uses the term sheeple is rarely how people use it. The term sheeple is meant for the followers who never stop to question their government, lack of individualism or why they are carrying pitchforks and torches.

 

[The Jackyl]

I think the word "sheeple" is really annoying. It's one of those words that just grinds my gears, like "be-yotch" or "breasticles."

 

[CuddlyCombine]

Not the people who apparently are sheeple, but the term itself. It f***ing s***s me. Stop using it. Really.

http://www.xkcd.com/610/

This is what I see when someone says sheeple. A pretentious git who seems to think he/she sees the world more clearly than the rest of us, when really they aren't any less mentally shackled than this generic sheepson they conjure into their head when typing "sheeple". In fact, they're probably more so: the mental baggage that comes with seeing others as "sheeple" tends to be quite heavy and cumbersome. If you see other people with this or that view or this or that interest/hobby/clothing/whatever as mentally stunted and not worth your time then you can never come to understand that view, let alone the person who is far more complex than you give them credit for.
In fact, the xkcd comic is wiser than that. Those who decry "sheeple" may never have tried it, but public transport gets you in touch with some fascinating people if only you'd be willing to talk to them, not silently judge them. I've talked to psych students who draw freaky pictures in their free time, the homeless, conspiracy theorists, immigrants learning the language, all sorts.

So stop. You are the sheep. You jumped on a bandwagon that should have seen its own irony long ago. And get on a bus and talk to someone. You'll be enlightened.

It's ironic that you, in a sense, jump on the other bandwagon, which is composed of the opposition to the first bandwagon. This is where the basis of most democratic party systems emerged; there were people who fit a certain stereotype and decided to band together, only to have a group of people who thought they knew better also band together to be opposition.

Here's where the problem is; you can fit almost anyone into a stereotype and criticize them for being mainstream. You could probably even fit me into some minority. That's why I'm not very warm towards people who criticize a perceived 'mainstream' culture and think that they've got it figured out; it's nothing personal, but you shouldn't judge anyone. You may be right in some cases, but there are a lot of individual circumstances which you'll never be able to predict. And, yes, I realize that this is applicable to me. I claim no superiority.

Anyway, on topic; I've always avoided being that way. I'm of the opinion that people who sneer at the mainstream and attack those who they don't think have individuality are stuck-up and insecure. Priding yourself on supposed independence isn't a really logical thing to be spending time on, especially when you're judging people to reach your goal. I've had very meaningful conversations with people of all rank and pay grade; I've talked to a homeless man about God for thirty minutes in Central Park, covered the same subject with a pastor in my home city, and, as you suggest, talked the benefits of chronic with a guy who rides on my transit bus. Presuming things about those who dress a certain way or listen to certain music or do whatever isn't right.

This went on a bit longer than I intended; I apologize.

EDIT: As a side thought, the word's not too bothersome. It's a neologism and it'll fade with time. No sense fighting it when we're living with a new generation of bloggers and opinionated youngsters (is it weird for me to say that when I'm 17?).

 

[NeutralDrow]

Not the people who apparently are sheeple, but the term itself. It f***ing s***s me. Stop using it. Really.

Oh good. I was coming into the thread ready to rant, but it turns out we agree.

 

[Seldon2639]

Culture, counter-culture, counter-counter-culture. It's all just a little bit of history repeating.

People decry the mindless adherence to the "mainstream" and so break off, trying to form a counter-identity, and deride those remaining in the original group (call them sheeple, squares, ect.). Eventually, the counter-culture sparks its own counter. Society is good at nothing else if not normalizing behavior. Any real counter-culture would pose a bit of a threat to stability, so society subsumes it into the whole. It's not a conscious effort, but think about how much more successful society is in culling behavior by saying "fine, do whatever you want, it's just kind of silly looking" versus "no, you cannot". I see fewer people getting tattoos now than the news reports from the 90s.

This issue is more that criticism of the mainstream (and rebellion against traditional values) has become mainstream itself. The power of normalcy is to make more normalcy. Rebellion loses its sting when it's expected and even promoted. I'm not complaining, it's just the reality of the situation. There's an added sexiness to something being taboo, but everything taboo is coming to be expected.

I should probably point out that the way xkcd uses the term sheeple is rarely how people use it. The term sheeple is meant for the followers who never stop to question their government, lack of individualism or why they are carrying pitchforks and torches.

I really, really, liked this. Just the number of things in here that are either pure satire, or mean that you buy into the rhetoric lock, stock, and barrel. No one has ever claimed to be promoting "questioning" of anything without having something they're selling. It's basic advertising; you create a need, and then you fill it. They create a need to "rebel" and prove your individuality, and then fill it with cheap merchandise and media (hell, they even fill it with politicians). There are people who are truly thoughtful and contemplative, but the vast majority who "question" are simply trading slavish devotion to government and "the mainstream" for slavish devotion to simply being contrary (which, itself, is mainstream).

Honestly, I ask you, what counts as "individualism"? If everyone else drinks water, and I decide to drink sulfuric acid, am I being individualistic? Is it less individualistic to do something? Should we avoid activities which are popular simply because they are popular? How is that any more thinking than the alternative?

 

[sheic99]

I should probably point out that the way xkcd uses the term sheeple is rarely how people use it. The term sheeple is meant for the followers who never stop to question their government, lack of individualism or why they are carrying pitchforks and torches.

I really, really, liked this. Just the number of things in here that are either pure satire, or mean that you buy into the rhetoric lock, stock, and barrel. No one has ever claimed to be promoting "questioning" of anything without having something they're selling. It's basic advertising; you create a need, and then you fill it. They create a need to "rebel" and prove your individuality, and then fill it with cheap merchandise and media (hell, they even fill it with politicians). There are people who are truly thoughtful and contemplative, but the vast majority who "question" are simply trading slavish devotion to government and "the mainstream" for slavish devotion to simply being contrary (which, itself, is mainstream).

Honestly, I ask you, what counts as "individualism"? If everyone else drinks water, and I decide to drink sulfuric acid, am I being individualistic? Is it less individualistic to do something? Should we avoid activities which are popular simply because they are popular? How is that any more thinking than the alternative?

What no mention of the angry mob? I feel insulted.

But on a more serious note, Yes, yes there is no individualism, simply one just conforms to one group or the other slightly less popular group. If anything the question their government was the more serious statement. Which is to mean, simply following politics and not agreeing with what the president says simply because he is and vice versa.