In a truly perfect world, there would be no losers, slackers, or poor people. Everyone would earn their respective livings and there would be no such thing as theft or underhanded politics or drug lords or disease and so on. There would no such thing as evil or crime.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you view it), there is no perfect world.
All of these things exist and we live in a world in which it’s difficult to fight back against them. In more civilized areas however, we are victims of another crime. It’s not as immediately effective as disease or drugs, but in the long term sense, it’s just as deadly.
I think you know where I’m getting at, but to be more precise… conformity.
Think I’m joking? Go outside to a highly popular area, and see how many people are wearing North Face merchandise – more specifically black North Face jackets. Here in Chicago (even on campus) the amount is astonishing.
Gone are the days of originality when the people would invent their own ideals, sing their own tune, and follow their dreams. Now their sense of self comes from the media and what it deems popular through mass advertising.
I may be over exaggerating, but no doubt it has become a trend. Most people buy what they see on billboards, read about in magazines, or watch on television. Most people do this – but you don’t have to.
Here are some things that you can do right now in order to become the “black sheep” of society:
Turn off the television
TV isn’t what it used to be (before Saturday morning cartoons were worth watching). The television of old has been replaced with relatively pointless drivel, that requires the attention span of your average hormonified teenager. True, there are many important channels (educational broadcasting, news channels, documentaries, etc.), but in this age of technology, we can watch all that stuff on the internet. And the best thing about it is that on the web, we can choose what we watch. No more commercials (if they interrupt my internet viewing I just switch to another tab until it’s over), and no more watching on a schedule. Why should you have to wait for your favorite show by watching peppered-in commercials in addition to programs you won’t benefit from? Again, it’s pointless.
Read
First, here are some stats from the owner of Copyblogger Brian Clarke’s ebook Teaching Sells:
Take a look at these sad facts, which are a bit outdated and are most likely even
sadder in 2008.
- 58% of the US adult population never reads another book after high school.
- 42% of college graduates never read another book.
- 80% of US families did not buy or read a book last year.
- 70% of US adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.
- 57% of new books are not read to completion.
- Most readers do not get past page 18 in a book they have purchased.
I don’t know about you, but these are really disappointing statistics. I was shocked when I read this and even more so when I understood the full weight of these calculations – even in the 21st century there are still a great many of us who aren’t learning.
Fortunately for you, it’s not hard to get decent material and start reading. Pick up a newspaper, informative magazine, ebook, web article, or literature. There’s a wealth of knowledge out there just waiting for you to grab it. The only time you should consider stop learning and improvement is when you’re dead.
Inspire someone
People are waiting to be inspired. Whether it’s by video, books, or any other medium, we are all waiting to be inspired. Whenever we hear stories of “This young person did ‘blank’, this old person did ‘blank’, this group of people achieved ‘blank’, we become excited. Excited because we believe that there is hope for us. Maybe we too can achieve similar or greater results if we just put our minds toward that end. Maybe we can lead, maybe we can create, maybe we can change the world.
Inspiration gets people thinking and that’s what should be happening. Dare someone to succeed. Dare someone to challenge themselves. Dare someone to go against popular belief. Dare someone to be themselves.
I know it’s scary to go against what so many have accepted as right. Sometimes you question whether going your own way, is the right way. But if we live by somebody else’s rules, whose life are we really living?
Own your life. Chase your dreams. Never stop learning. Whatever else is necessary to truly become an individual is obviously up to you.
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photo credit: pasotraspaso
I agree with this whole article. Many people believe everything that’s told to them as long as it’s packaged a certain way or a specific person or group says it.
They don’t try to learn more about the issues they’re most passionate about. They just take whatever is fed to them and they run with it.
That’s one of the reasons why I’m a huge advocate of reading books and learning. I want to know that my beliefs are based on objective facts instead of just opinions.
@Tim Totally understand what you mean. It’s time to form our own opinions towards matters that we support and learn more about them. Opinions only build trust upon the fact they are supporting, not belief. Belief comes from first hand experience. Great thoughts, Tim.
@Lance Exactly! We shouldn’t conform for the trends just belong, but only from genuine interest. Life is all about our own choices and not those of other people.
@Matt Hey Matt! I’ve actually read some posts from your blog and I understand how you feel. Living a lie (as you say) can only serve to hurt you not to help you. And besides what do you have to lose? The friends who support you and what you’re doing – those are your real friends. The rest will leave, but you’ll be happier than ever because now you can truly be yourself. I’m really glad you enjoy my blog. Take care and good luck!
@Kirsty You’re finally starting to live by your own rules when you have the courage to be yourself among those who may judge you. Congratulations, Kirsty!
@Lisis See, if only there were more people like you – spending only on things that benefit you. I know Chicago gets really cold, but it doesn’t warrant a survival jacket!
To accept only the values, morals, and principles you agree with… that is what it truly means to be an individual. Thanks so much for your input, Lisis.
John,
I’m okay with conforming – if it just so happens that that also speaks to our heart. If it doesn’t, though, then we shouldn’t conform just for the sake of conforming. We should follow what really speaks to us – whether that be the jacket we wear, or the work we perform. That’s what really living life is all about…
John,
I am so tired of being afraid of what others might think. I have been living a life of half truth – which last time I checked was a lie. The truth is I have something to give, but first I have to step out. I risk the chance of being a failure – or even worse, being a success.
Thanks again, John. I enjoy your blog.
Matt
Great post, John!!
Only recently did I wake up and realise that it is “Ok to be me”…
So glad I did, because I was like Matt who admitted that he was afraid of what others might think.
Not any more! Gosh it feels like such a relief to be ME!!
K
Ha! I love this post! My hubby is one of those people who actually uses The North Face clothing for what it was intended: extreme conditions. We’ve always found it funny (sad, really) when we see people wearing $200 TNF Jackets at the malls! Can’t quite figure that one out.
I’m pretty much a non-conformist by trade. I try not to be simply contrarian, as Lance alluded to; but I generally do not fit the mold… and that’s just how I like it.
Happy Sunday, John!
Hey John.
Just like like a class with a grading curve has students looking competitively at each other when they should be focused on the learning, the way people look at someone who doesn’t accept the fake or conformist actions that many are following is contempt-filled by some. Instead of thinking “this person is a good role model of going about things your own way”, some will think “who does this guy think he is doing things that way and making me look bad in comparison?”. We might as well take that reaction as a sign that we are doing the right things.
The information about reading statistics sure signals the opportunities the few of us that continue to read and learn have.
I agree with Lance do, wear and be whatever speaks to you.
I don’t think one should always follow the herd. In fact a guy named Larry Winget calls it “herd thinking.”
My daughter worked a triathlon this morning in the wind, rain and 60 degree summer weather in MI. She called me to tell me she loves her new North Face jacket. There’s nothing like being warm but instead of North Face I moved to Phoenix:)
Great suggestions for personal development. One thing… as a society I think we’ve gone over the top on making pure capitalism almost as much an ideology as communism was. The result is that for most dreams, the first rule is “make sure it earns you a lot of money and good benefits” – or you may have to go without, for example, something as basic as medical care.
(I haven’t seen North Face anything since the late ’90s UNLESS I’m on a hiking trail. But things may be a little different on the west coast)
For some reason, I find the reading statistics hard to believe. Maybe its because I read, buy, borrow, sell and give away books all the time. Browsing used bookstores is one of my favorite pastime and we own hundreds of books. I don’t personally know anyone who doesn’t read at least one book a year.
Could it be because I live in the Bay Area, only two miles away from UC Berkeley and home of Stanford University? Maybe the stats are based on a particular geographic location? Who was asked? Maybe I’m making too much out of it.
In terms of conformity, I tend to be and do what I feel comfortable. I cant pigeonhole myself in any particular group. I don’t have the desire to be “standard” and I don’t try too hard to be so-called different either.
John,
Powerful and staggering facts. I agree with you whole heartedly in this conformity business. I say business cause that is exactly what it has become. Lack of individuality just to fit in seems rather preposterous to me. I personally do exactly what my heart tells me to….as long as i know i am happy with my decision thats all that matters. As for the media, they have been selling material superficiality so rampantly that sometimes even highly sane, educated and experienced people fall into their trap. Just last week i wrote a guest post for Bunny @ BunnyGotBlog.com on this very issue.”lost in a sea of identities”. Do check it out when you have the time. I think you will agree with it. Thank you for this very important reminder.
These facts are so sad and It may be disrespectful for me to say this but I may be superhuman compared to the average human begin who watches t.v 4 hours a day and read less than 1 book a year! Man on Man oh Man….this is horrendous. I cannot sugar coat how disturbed i feel about these powerful facts.
Well for those looking to make a change in there life from Johns wonderful article here is a tip
1. Make Daily Plans
The night before you go to bed, create a to do list for tomorrow. Most people tend to wander around life and never accomplish anything big or substantial. This is why the average American reads only 1 book a year. By creating a daily plan though execution creates positive momentum and purpose.
Purpose make you think in terms of goal achievement instead of endless wandering. This is why people who are successful are consistently working long all day , while the rest of the 95% are financially starving. There lack of action create downfall.
@Armen Hey Armen! Haven’t heard from you in a while. How’s it going?
I completely agree with your insights. It’s most of the time looked down upon to be different, either because it’s weird or it’s just not “in” anymore. We should open our eyes to originality and experience that wondrous things that can come of it. The college I will return in the fall is really competitive, though I believe that they want to learn the material though in other schools they may just thrive on rankings.
@Tess ha ha, you moved to Phoenix to stand up against North Face? That’s the way to stand up against the man
I agree with both you and Lance, in that you should wear would resonates with you instead of wearing what you feel you should wear. The opinion of the majority should not speak for you. I hope your daughter came out on top in her triathlon
@Paul Nice to see you on the blog, Paul.
I’m not so sure you can compare communism and capitalism so easily. In the US current condition, I realize that the healthcare here is lacking compared to other less refined countries (Canada has free health care). The United States has a lot of work to do on healthcare reform, but I don’t know of an ideology of pure capitalism is part of the problem. Interesting thoughts, though.
@Carla All excellent questions. Though I do agree with you that you might have so many well-read friends because of where you reside. If you look at it in other way it might be easier to understand. For example, my parents (though they have masters degrees) haven’t read a single book since they graduated. And if you think in terms of college graduates, most of them will probably be too busy looking for jobs instead of reading for pleasure.
I see that Brian got his facts from this website: http://www.humorwriters.org/startlingstats.html
Seems credible to me.
@Zeenat
Hey Zeenat! Love your thoughts on this. Media sell products as an “original new look” and it time it loses its originality. I admit that I bought the Ipod Touch obviously because of its popular touch-based capabilities. But now it just sits here on my desk playing my favorite song every time. I rarely use it for anything else.
Oh and I’ll definitely check out your post
@Jonathan It’s understandable that you feel this way. Imagine how I felt.
We must understand how much hidden knowledge about life and the world comes from books. Just as the old mildly clique saying goes, “Readers are leaders”.
“Own your life. Chase your dreams. Never stop learning.” I think this quote from your post says it all. It is a good point that we all need to take control of life and understand how to work toward what we are trying to accomplish. It seems that education and accomplishments are intertwined and in order to do what we desire, we need to learn everything we can that will allow us to realize success. I used to think that education and learning would end the moment I graduated, but that couldn’t have been farther from the truth. Although we may have completed our formal education, there will always be opportunities to learn throughout life…its all just about what we choose to take advantage of.
Awesome post. It’s really amazing how much people try to conform to get accepted into society. What’s really amazing iis my friends all have been sitting around surfing the net all day looking for jobs and I get a little bit of crticism for being a pseudo-beach bum. I’ve used surfing (the ocean) as my escape from the job search. I think that not conforming in this area will make a tremendous long term difference in my life. We have such pressure even ask kids to conform. I remember in junior high when kids got new shoes, we all wanted to get those shoes. Very cool post.