August 12th, 2008
People who challenge establish
norms are regarded as outcasts, as unpopular folks. But is it really
that they are using their right to independent thought that warrants
these labels?
We've all seen fads and
fashions come and go, followed by the same level of support and rejection
by many. When something is regarded as popular, we tend to look at those
who do not share the same views as us as "unpopular" or "rebels".
These rebels proclaim the ideal is not as golden as it seems, and are
active in pointing out the negative implications of these fads.
"It'll never last,"
or "it's really really ugly and does nothing to enhance your image,
life or happiness." We disregard that is rubbish, claiming them
to be unfounded. But are they?
Skeptics throughout history
have kept many a person grounded without letting them get too far into
the clouds so as to lose orbit with the rest of us.
So why do we place a negative
image on those who go counter to what the established norms are?
Perhaps these claims are
well-grounded and have substance to them. These skeptics have opted
out of the herd mentality and are practicing their right to independent
thought and "free will" in order to base their own decisions
and impressions around. They don't feel pressured into agreeing nor
being a part of a group that they're not too sure they want to be a
part of deep down inside.
Once we let go of our desires
to be part of the group and look at things from other angles, then we'll
begin to see things for what they really are.
If we practiced this more
often, then many wars wouldn't happen, people wouldn't lose jobs then
they don't need to, and convicts won't get the wrong sentence or testimony.
Sometimes being unpopular
has benefits.
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