Your thoughts on ..... what would be the Ideal alternative to Conformism...?

Question

the question is quite broad, i apologize for that , ........

perhaps a better question would be......

how do we negotiate our way in life without falling into a state of redundancy ?the extremes of conformism and non conformism............
in terms of intellectual pursuits, personal attitude and our interactions with 'others'.......etc

THANK YOU ALL for your answers.. ;-)

Answer 1

Nihilism.

If you see something that you personally are conforming to based on nothing but popular sentiment-- throw it out, or at least shelve it. You Have to engage in this procedure with every compulsion, every automatic given to EVER come to knowledge.

skepticism is not what I'm talking about. That discipline says we cannot ever know anything. Nihilsts are skeptical of skeptics. You have to force the contradiction to see which way to go. Whatever grows from it, don't be afraid to knock it down.

Conformism is great, you can be very persuasive using its methods. But on the level of theory and even everyday life, we must constantly question to be able to adapt, live and flourish.

Answer 2

There will always be conformity, at least to some degree. Children conform to the way their parents raise them. People generally conform to their society or some concept, based on what level of interaction they have with it.

For example:
if everyone in the State of California does things a certain way, and the people have means to interact, communicate, or observe things on a state wide level (mass media, ability to travel across the state) then many people will conform to that state's standards or social norms.

On the other hand, if people's interaction with the outside world is limited to a very small sphere, such as their city or local community, they will most likely not conform to anything beyond that.

There really are no "alternatives" to conformity. In our time, technology has given people the capabilities to become more connected and close than ever before. There really is no way to destroy technology on a global scale, so conformity can only be avoided on an individual basis; based upon that person's personal choices and actions.

Answer 3

Conformity in matters such as obeying traffic laws, basic good manners, dressing and behaving in a reasonably appropriate way considering the context, and not intentionally causing harm or suffering to others. If a person conforms in these ways, the rest should be totally optional. I'm very much and independent thinker and not afraid to state my opinions, but then again that is the norm in my far northern community, so I can't take too much credit for being a "non conformist". Still I really can't imagine giving a **** what people are paying to have their toes done in New York. If people feel they're being judged by such materialistic trivialities, that, in my opinion, is way to much conformity. Unless they happen to like that kind of life. To each their own...

Answer 4

It's essentially NOT forming a pattern, or an automatic response to everything. You're right in saying that the question is quite broad and yet.. quite narrow. Living life by following the dictatorship of others regulates you into automatic responsive-type lifestyle. Where's the fun in that? Break out of your box. Need help? Ask me how. I never live my life conforming to the requirements of society and thus, my life is not boring and i feel no redundancy, whatsoever.

Answer 5

A very good way to weigh your decision making process is to keep a journal. Write your likes and dislikes in it, and reasons for each. Then after a couple of weeks start rereading it and see if you can 'find places' where you were writing pure BS. Try to ascertain when you make blanket statements, such as I hate...blank. Do you 'really hate blank?' Or did you just say it because you are used to saying it.

If you belong to some organizations, try to be reflective about 'why' you actually belong to clubs. Ask yourself questions. Catch yourself in 'errors'. You will begin to develop discernment. You will begin to reflect more responsibly and become enlightened.