In bringing a new light to this already overdebated topic, I'd like to share my insight with whoever listens. It's becoming more and more apparent that people feel an overwhelming need to identify themselves these days, as if being part of any kind of group is a horrible thing, with no speculation as to what the group. On the flip side, some people feel the need to flock together and participate in the same events and activites, only breathing new life into the common trend of stereotypes.
I'm not to say what's right, I just act myself, the opinions of other people are not of my concern. But, on larger scales, people can begin to feel aggressive towards anyone not of their "class". Some people feel oppressed and creatively and emotionally stifled by belonging to certain groups. Some people start social "wars" of verbal and physical attacks to compensate for their insecurity and fear of having their individuality or community identity stripped of them.
Personally, I find it amazing how anyone can care to the point of fighting for something that technically doesn't even belong to them. You personality is merely a compilation of all the feelings and experiences you've lived through formulated into your conscience and judgement. When it comes down to it, it's incredibly rare that someone has a legitimately original character with no traits they didn't admire or despise in someone else, and wished to see in themselves. It's amazing what people will do to salvage their identity, that's just how important it is.
My theory is that everyone has a need to be remembered. No matter what the case, no one can honestly say they want to be directly compared, on a more severe extent, equated to someone else in foretellings of their personality. Discussions like this lead to feelings of inadequicy and unoriginality, which is dishonorable and undignified. It's just those old reinforced morals coming to bite you on the ass, and you thought you were stolid enough to ignore them?
People start wars over origins. It's a disgusting reality where people over think themself into an anxiety and paranoia that require prescription drugs to calm. The only solution is to let go of any jealousy or condescending pretentiousness that could be clouding you with prejudice. I've come to the point of accepting everyone for who they are, and what they want to be. Sure, I may come off as some cynnical, cold, judgemental jerk in some of my other posts, but it's only in entertainment, nothing really bothers or burdens me to the point of anger on these forums.
This is not a hate the mainstream rant. This is not common *****ery of the sheep and outcasts we all know. Simply my observations and opinions of the human tendency to strive for some sort of identity, when all in all, it shouldn't really matter. Some rants of this sort are a dime a dozen cliche ramblings that can only make you nod in ignorance, I'd like to think I put a little more thought into this. My advice: Get over it. Just get to know people by their personalities, you'll make much more friends and suffer little stress. I'm sure everyone can relate to this, as it applies to daily life and human nature. All comments and input are welcomed.
well said, Mecanon, I agree with much you said. and of I hope people don't get to the point where they hate somebody just because they disagree with their own opinion. I know I may have had a few disagreements with others, but I sure don't hate them. good point Mecanon
Yes, we all no that no one has thier own identity anymore. I really find it sad that the world has come down to this, but it seems that it won't change. Anyone that trys to be somewhat different is picked on, so they must try to become the others. I hate it as much as anyone else, but its something that your going to have to live with. Unless you go out and get about 1 mil. people to rally with you, you're not really going to change anything. People live in protective bubbles nowadays. Mass media has made it this way. They don't tell you what they don't want to know. You see on tv how they want you to look, so you immediatly think, "If I don't want to come off as some low class retard, I need to look like that. I need those clothes(whatever)." When it comes right down to it, those people out there do not care what you do. They just want you're money. Its sad to think that the world today is run by 90% greed, but when it all comes right down to it, thats what it is. I hate it, but what is 1 person going to do.
(this may have branched off from the current topic, but I felt like getting on this topic. Sue me. =p)
That's not true Citienz, I'm glad to say I've ALWAYS been myself.. No matter the situation. In highschool I didn't fit in anywhere, or in middleschool. I was the only kid on the football team that knew what 3D6 meant, and the only kid who knew the Lunar: Silver Star Story themesong from start to finish by heart.
However, I was the only kid that played football at lunch that refused to sit with the rest of the football team. Everyone on the team in middle school team thought I was wierd, but respected me for my skill (especially the running backs). I've always never been afraid to wear what I want to wear ; comfortable clothes. I don't care how they look.. I just want to feel comfortable in them.
I'm the only person in the city of memphis who listens to power and progressive metal, and some of my old friends used to make fun of this on a daily basis. (Though those genres contain some awesome bands.). I have _always_ been myself and enjoy to do what I like. No one can influence me to do otherwise. I've known about three or four other people who are the same.
I agree on the part of getting to know people by their personalitys.. I'm strongly against groups of people who band and clique together. It's stupid.. you shouldn't have to tolerate the precense of someone you don't like. I had friends everywhere from the ghetto crowd to the uber asian girl^^~!~! crowd in highschool. I liked them for who they were, not the little tag people branded across their social habits.
A song sums up how I feel about society, the song "ASK DNA" from the cowboy bebop movie.
First Verse : ASK DNA
"Come to brain dead, can't decide.. You can't pray enough, you can't hide.. You can be cool, or you can cry.. Do it wrong, not at all.. or do it right.
No one owes you, no one is to blame.. Several bad genes or DNA? Ask your concious that why and how.. Do it then, do it when, but do it now..
What's up sweetcates? --- Who's hip (Who's hip?!) .. Anyways?"
..I guess coolness is all in the eye of the beholder. Unfortantely most people have small and narrow lines of vision. Shrug, it's how the world works though.
But, good mecannon, we are afterall just living heaps of massive cell tissue worth about $8.00 in raw minerals apiece, so a identity is really a defining trait that people need to separate themselves from the masses. I don't even think its possible for someone to have a personality that isn't built off experience. Also, its a hell of an endeavour to really try to accept everyone for who they are, let alone not try to poison everyone around you with your own opinion; I'm trying to abolish the latter, but I'm sure I'll still pass unfair judgement on people, because not every single person I meet is going to get the time of day. Well, i forgot whatever the hell i was saying, but the point is, that identity comes from a personality, so theres really no point in placing armor where you'll eventually have chitin. (IM SORRY) Mabye I'm just repeating whats already been said?
Well said Mecanon. But one thing I'd like to point out is that the "trend of stereotypes" was actually started by the Media. The Media stereotypes people because it allows them to sell products (Marilyn Monroe being a prime example).
It's silly that people seem to take these stereotypes as facts of life. If you want to be a stereotype then you might as well be looked in a cage with a dozen other people of the same stereotype, because that'd be interesting.
Stereotyping is what the Media uses to catergorize social groups (Posh, Violent Teenagers, Angelic Toddlers etc). A stereotype is just part of the media's mind that it uses to infactuate the world with, whether it be by TV or any other form of media.
It's shameful to think that a lot of problems in life are down to stereotyping and jealously.
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Arielle Aerith_Freak | aerithfreak | Ethereal
Former Site Manager and Forum Administrator of Final Fantasy Republic 2002-2005
I have always been myself and I will never change that. I really don't give a damn on what others think of me. In fact when people tell me "eh you're weird" or something similar, I just raise an eyebrow and say, "Thank you." When people say "when are you gonna cut your hair," I reply either scathingly, with the utmost sardonism, or just raise an eyebrow. Favorite sayings- "the day you can answer that question is when you don't have to ask it"; "nobody tells me what to do- not you, not ___ (fill in the blank with a random person's name), not even God nor Satan. And they don't exist." (sorry to those who are Christian, I'm just an agnostic/atheist guy =\)." When people make fun of me for wearing all the gothic stuff and being gothic and say stuff like "your wristspikes and black nailpolish on your left arm/hand are gay" I ignore them or give them sh*t if I'm not in a good mood.
One must be oneself, it is the only way to truely be unique. While I may hang out with only a couple of people at my school, I know nearly everyone and are just casual friends with everybody, though I keep a close group of really good friends.
Most unfortunately, people want to be "in" or included with a certain group so badly these days. It's unsettling and quite irritatingly stupid. Who cares if you have no friends. Who cares if people think you're weird. BE YOURSELF.
I'm trying to abolish the latter, but I'm sure I'll still pass unfair judgement on people, because not every single person I meet is going to get the time of day
Naturally good sir. You don't have to try to meet everyone, just the ones you do. There is a difference between judging someone and hating them and judging someone and then walking up and talking to them. If my preconception of someone considers them a ***** and I get to know them (like or hate), then I think I've cancelled out the prejudice to begin with. The entire point of my post was this: it's stupid to base your lifestyle off objects or actions you think will make you more interesting or likable, that in truth, are meaningless. If everyone acted themself, no matter what past experiences and impulses have shaped their personality, then you wouldn't have to worry about finding some fake identity you don't need. You already have one. Thus ends the anxiety and desperation of the common person struggling to be something they're not.
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