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Author
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Topic: Is Everyone An Individual?
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Valus
Knowflake Posts: 2801
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 01, 2010 01:01 PM
 
Is everyone an individual?Are some more individualistic than others? Are some people meant to conform? Are they meant to "go out",
rather than to go within, and
are they meant to find the crowd,
rather than to find themselves? Are they less evolved? More evolved? Is their individuality less evolved? Is their ego less, or more, evolved? Are they less self-aware? Are they more aware of the collective? Are they like animals? Are they like angels? Is it good to have a mind of your own? Are two heads better than one? What about fifty-million heads
thinking in unison? Is it better to be right
and to stand alone and defeated,
or to be wrong and
celebrate with the conquerors? Is it better to be happy, or right? Are only fools able to be happy and wrong? Are happy people mostly naive, like children? When people say "you think too much",
why don't they just say "get a lobotomy"? IP: Logged |
Lara
Knowflake Posts: 3967
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 01, 2010 01:08 PM
oh geez  IP: Logged |
katatonic
Knowflake Posts: 3965
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 01, 2010 01:38 PM
you list many qualities as if they are mutually exclusive, when they are perfectly compatible coexisting. what do YOU think valus?IP: Logged |
Lara
Knowflake Posts: 3967
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 01, 2010 02:00 PM
quote:
When people say "you think too much",
why don't they just say "get a lobotomy"?
When people say "you think too much",
why don't they just say "can you feel a heartbeat in there?" A lobotomy has nothing to do with it Valus and that's something my 4 yr old son would say!!! IP: Logged |
Cynnared
Knowflake Posts: 481
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 01, 2010 02:21 PM
Somehow this brings comfort to me in a strange way but the last few days I have been feeling deeply rejected by those around me.....Thanx for the Sunny spot today. IP: Logged |
MyVirgoMask
Knowflake Posts: 2647
From: Bay Area, CA
Registered: May 2009
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posted June 01, 2010 02:48 PM
I think people are all individuals but we tend to live in societies which don't honor that, so you get a herd mentality instead. IP: Logged |
Lara
Knowflake Posts: 3967
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 01, 2010 02:50 PM
quote:
I think people are all individuals but we tend to live in societies which don't honor that, so you get a herd mentality instead.
Can you explain please MVM why we create a society that then doesn't honor our 'individualism'? Surely, mentality is a choice and it's not as if one is held at gunpoint and told "you will be a sheep!" IP: Logged |
MyVirgoMask
Knowflake Posts: 2647
From: Bay Area, CA
Registered: May 2009
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posted June 01, 2010 02:54 PM
I'm not talking about myself, Lara, I am talking about mainly things like the way the educational system operates (like a damn factory!), and general consumerism.
It's true that we don't have to engage in it but I think if this is the environment itself, then it will rub off. We didn't create it so much as allowed it to happen. And we are part of it if we are in the schools or have our children in the schools.
And we're all consumers to an extent of course. Some more than others.IP: Logged |
mermaid26
Knowflake Posts: 426
From: just visiting you know
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted June 01, 2010 03:08 PM
Important to me, is the individual one who is thoughtful of others? Also, does this individual's thoughtfulness in turn manifest as actions?
Clearly the great deep thinkers are needed to make up the difference for those who were seeded to think shallow. They fulfill the achievement of the harmonic balance of the collective cosmic whole. The saving grace is that all are seeded to learn if they so desire and remain open minded. Add open hearts and the learning potential is increased exponentially. I can't help but think a well balanced individual is also part fool, as in either has already been one or perhaps will utilize folly in a handy way some day.
"A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference."
~ Winnie the Pooh
A. A. Milne
You better not stop your deep thinking and sharing. Here's to some foolish good fun for all of us! I won't tell. Wait a minute, I'm a Pisces and it is a little hard for me to keep secrets. IP: Logged |
teasel
Knowflake Posts: 994
From: Ohio
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 01, 2010 03:20 PM
quote:
you list many qualities as if they are mutually exclusive, when they are perfectly compatible coexisting.
I was thinking the same thing. IP: Logged |
Dervish
Knowflake Posts: 593
From:
Registered: May 2009
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posted June 01, 2010 09:06 PM
I'll take a stab at this: quote:
Can you explain please MVM why we create a society that then doesn't honor our 'individualism'?
Prehistorically, many assumptions and snap judgments had to be made for a tribe to survive, and people preferred predictability to the strange as they knew how to handle that. This has been passed down through all societies to the present day and while diluted it still creates racism, homophobia, religious violence, and really all kinds of problems that we should outgrow. That is to say instinct drives many to push for conformity and predictability (and to instinctively cater to such so as to not be rejected by the tribe which means survival), though how dedicated a society is to that varies. And not everyone is enslaved to these instincts, but more are than aren't. ETA: in addition are the survival instincts tied up with this that are linked to feelings of righteousness. For example, some people really believe God will smite the USA if we adopt a tolerance of gays similar to Canada, and as they believe their own survival is threatened they become fearful and angry that lead to righteousness and push to make sure people remain within "limits" lest their god act like a terrorist and destroy us all. But the root concern is survival much like tribalism which come to demand conformity as otherwise they feel afraid (which leads to anger & righteous intolerance), leading not only to hate crimes but also new laws & measures to enforce conformity. quote:
Surely, mentality is a choice and it's not as if one is held at gunpoint and told "you will be a sheep!"
No, but you can lose your job, your children, and suffer all kinds of other consequences and ability to survive. And not only might you be shunned but your loved ones made to suffer both directly and indirectly with you. Personally, I think that's even more dire a threat than a gun pointed at you, because you not only risk yourself but those you care about-- especially those at least partially dependent on you--as well as yourself should you step too far out of line or stand up to corruption. Those in families may also reject you and pull their support if they don't like what you're doing, such as a child who comes out gay or pagan, for example. Again, to some people that's even worse than a stranger threatening to shoot them. Btw, I recall hearing how even Adolf Hitler, a vegetarian, once ate meat because he was scared how he'd look (and what that would do to his authority) if he refused to and after one of the cooks there made an issue of his sticking to veggies.  IP: Logged |
Valus
Knowflake Posts: 2801
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 02, 2010 08:16 AM
I'm not assuming things are mutually exclusive.People with Aqua Moons and Uranian stelliums
don't do an awful lot of that, -- sorry. As you can see, every sentence in that post
has a friggin question mark attached to it,
so, it's pretty impossible to deduce what
I may or may not think about these things. The word "or", suggesting mutual exclusivity,
does not appear in-between or at the start
of any of those sentences. Perhaps the assumptions are yours? Try to read more carefully. Thank you.
IP: Logged |
Valus
Knowflake Posts: 2801
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 02, 2010 08:17 AM
Which Galaxy Are You From? IP: Logged |
Valus
Knowflake Posts: 2801
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 02, 2010 09:40 AM
Thanks Cynnared, 
I'm glad you found it helpful.
Nice thoughts, mermaid.
Well said, Dervish.
IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 1499
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 02, 2010 09:47 AM
quote:
Is Everyone An Individual?
YES. IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 1499
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 02, 2010 09:48 AM
quote:
Is Everyone An Individual?
NO. IP: Logged |
mermaid26
Knowflake Posts: 426
From: just visiting you know
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted June 02, 2010 10:26 AM
Yes Yin!and how about the answer within...individual...
are we...livid and dual? IP: Logged |
mermaid26
Knowflake Posts: 426
From: just visiting you know
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted June 02, 2010 10:56 AM
Oops! forgot to say I sure am sometimes... I'm working on this.IP: Logged |
AcousticGod
Knowflake Posts: 3166
From: acousticgod@sbcglobal.net
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 02, 2010 12:51 PM
I think the basis of conformity is a coping mechanism, a way of making things smoother for an individual. You conform to those things you find useful. Chances are that when you're not comforming you're also conforming with someone else who's also not conforming.IP: Logged |
Coffee
Knowflake Posts: 986
From: Leeds
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 02, 2010 01:42 PM
Valus, to answer many and your first few questions, maybe. If we all walk like sheep we can be selfish, due to thinking of the self, rather than other. More like a hell of a lot of individuals thinking the same, as opposed to group think.MVM, yeah. Dervish, you write great and informative posts, and just about the right length too. Enjoy reading. quote:
That is to say instinct drives many to push for conformity and predictability (and to instinctively cater to such so as to not be rejected by the tribe which means survival), though how dedicated a society is to that varies. And not everyone is enslaved to these instincts, but more are than aren't.
and... quote:
No, but you can lose your job, your children, and suffer all kinds of other consequences and ability to survive. And not only might you be shunned but your loved ones made to suffer both directly and indirectly with you. Personally, I think that's even more dire a threat than a gun pointed at you, because you not only risk yourself but those you care about-- especially those at least partially dependent on you--as well as yourself should you step too far out of line or stand up to corruption.
The standard in society is down to the people in power who make them choices. Someone wrong with this place or the people, look at them. IP: Logged |
Coffee
Knowflake Posts: 986
From: Leeds
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 02, 2010 01:42 PM
Valus, to answer many and your first few questions, maybe. If we all walk like sheep we can be selfish, due to thinking of the self, rather than other. More like a hell of a lot of individuals thinking the same, as opposed to group think.MVM, yeah. Dervish, you write great and informative posts, and just about the right length too. Enjoy reading. quote:
That is to say instinct drives many to push for conformity and predictability (and to instinctively cater to such so as to not be rejected by the tribe which means survival), though how dedicated a society is to that varies. And not everyone is enslaved to these instincts, but more are than aren't.
and... quote:
No, but you can lose your job, your children, and suffer all kinds of other consequences and ability to survive. And not only might you be shunned but your loved ones made to suffer both directly and indirectly with you. Personally, I think that's even more dire a threat than a gun pointed at you, because you not only risk yourself but those you care about-- especially those at least partially dependent on you--as well as yourself should you step too far out of line or stand up to corruption.
The standard in society is down to the people in power who make them choices. Someone wrong with this place or the people, look at them. IP: Logged |
charmainec
Moderator Posts: 380
From: on the other side of the rainbow
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted June 03, 2010 05:02 AM
Being an individual is being true to yourself and not just conforming with the 'labels' that society places on people.To be comfortable with yourself and follow your heart. quote:
"A 'no' uttered from the deepest conviction is better and greater than a 'yes' merely uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble,"
Mohandas K Ghandi.------------------
quote:
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies with in us."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
IP: Logged |
Lindaland
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